TABLE of CONTENTS

December 2024 • Issue 767 • Vol. 93 • No. 6

58th Year of Publication • 30-Time Hugo Winner CHARLES N. BROWN
Founder (1968-2009)
Cover and interview art & design by Francesca Myman.
LIZA GROEN TROMBI
Editor-in-Chief
KIRSTEN GONG-WONG
Managing Editor
CAROLYN F. CUSHMAN
FRANCESCA MYMAN
TIM PRATT
ARLEY SORG
Senior Editors
LAUREL AMBERDINE
BOB BLOUGH
Assistant Editors
SARAH WEEKS
Editorial Assistant
MARK R. KELLY
Web Editor
JONATHAN STRAHAN
Reviews Editor
LIZ BOURKE
ALEX BROWN
KAREN HABER
GABINO IGLESIAS
IN TERV IEWS RUSSELL LETSON
ARCHITA MITTRA
Paolo Bacigalupi: Gift of Story / 10 IAN MOND
Vajra Chandrasekera: The Mythic and the Modern / 28 COLLEEN MONDOR
NEDINE MOONSAMY
ABIGAIL NUSSBAUM
MAIN STORIES / 6 CHARLES PAYSEUR
ALEXANDRA PIERCE
Harvey Wins Booker • Ignyte Awards 2024 • SFWA Special Election Results • The Final A.C. WISE
Kitschies Awards Shortlist GARY K. WOLFE
Contributing Editors
T H E DATA F I L E / 7 ALVARO ZINOS-AMARO
Roundtable Blog Editor
Burton Wins Humanities Medal • Andrew Carnegie Medal Shortlists • PW Best Books
SHWETA TANEJA
of 2024 • B&N Book of the Year Winner • Book Ban News • Fishing Fortress Awards • Head of Partnerships
Reactor’s Most Iconic SF • Time’s Must-Read Books of 2024 • Christie’s SF Auction • Ekpeki
Locus, The Magazine of the Science Fiction & Fantasy
Allegations • Geffen Awards Winners • Clarion West News • TAFF Nominations Open • Field (ISSN 0047-4959), is published monthly, at
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The End of 2024 • World Fantasy • This Issue • Year-End Giving viewees are solely their opinions and do not reflect
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 LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS
p. 27
Short Fiction Reviews by CHARLES PAYSEUR / 12
Flash Fiction Online 9/24; Cast of Wonders 9/29/24; Escape Pod 9/19/24; Strange Horizons 9/16/24, 10/7/24,
10/14/24; F&SF Summer ’24; Kaleidotrope Autumn ’24; Fiyah 10/24; Beneath Ceaseless Skies 10/3/24; Diabolical
Plots 10/24; Lightspeed 10/24; Baffling 10/24; GigaNotoSaurus 10/24; Small Wonders 10/24.
Short Fiction Reviews by A.C. WISE / 14
khōréo 4.2; Clarkesworld 10/24; Analog 9-10/24.
Reviews by LIZ BOURKE / 15
And the Mighty Will Fall, K.B. Wagers; The Book of Gold, Ruth Frances Long; Countess, Suzan Palumbo.
Maurice
Reviews by GARY K. WOLFE / 16 Broaddus (2021)
Death of the Author, Nnedi Okorafor; We Lived on the Horizon, Erika Swyler; At the Fount of Creation,
Tobi Ogundiran. p. 21
Reviews by COLLEEN MONDOR / 18
Our Wicked Histories, Amy Goldsmith; The Lies We Conjure, Sarah Henning; The Spellshop, Sarah Beth Durst;
Castle of the Cursed, Romina Garber.
Reviews by IAN MOND / 19
Interstellar MegaChef, Lavanya Lakshminarayan; Remember You Will Die, Eden Robins; The Way, Cary Groner.
Reviews by ALEX BROWN / 20
Compound Fracture, Andrew Joseph White; Rest in Peaches, Alex Brown; Spells to Forget Us, Aislinn Brophy;
A Vile Season, David Ferraro. Aislinn Brophy
(2022)
Reviews by ALEXANDRA PIERCE / 22
Vilest Things, Chloe Gong; The Escher Man, T.R. Napper; Edge of the Known World, Sheri T. Joseph; Fortress
Sol, Stephen Baxter. p. 19
Reviews by GABINO IGLESIAS / 24
The Midnight Club, Margot Harrison; Dungeon Crawler Carl, Matt Dinniman; Model Home, Rivers Solomon.
Art Book Reviews by KAREN HABER / 25
Thalamus: The Art of Dave McKean, Dave McKean; The Kwaidan Collection, Lafcadio Hearn; SHORT TAKES:
Voyaging, Volume One: The Plague Star, George R.R. Martin, art and adaptation by Raya Golden; Worlds Beyond
Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s, Adam Rowe.
Reviews by Divers Hands: RUSSELL LETSON, ARCHITA MITTRA, Lavanya
NEDINE MOONSAMY, ABIGAIL NUSSBAUM / 26 Lakshminarayan
(2019)
Days of Shattered Faith, Adrian Tchaikovsky; Dream Machine: A Portrait of Artificial Intelligence, Appupen &
Laurent Daudet; Breath of Oblivion, Maurice Broaddus; The Shutouts, Gabrielle Korn.
p. 22
Maurice Broaddus.........................................(F/CAL)5
Aislinn Brophy...................................................(F/JEF)5
Lavanya Lakshminarayan..................................... (F)5
PHOTO LISTING Almog Cohen, Bar Fischbein...........(F/AAS)36
Daniel Fidelman, Dr. Ayal Hayut-Man,
Judith Kagan, Mayan Rogel,
T.R. Napper...............................................................(CS)5 Heather Graham.............................................(FM)32 Tom Sivan...................................................(F/AAS)36
Samantha Harvey.............................................(F/LH)6 Alan Smale, Steven H Silver, LARPers............................................................ (F/KID)36
LeVar Burton.....................................................(F/SRF)7 Rick Wilber........................................................(FM)32 Khadīja Mirʿī, Dr. Eisām Asāqlī.............(F/AAS)36
Isabel Cañas ................................................... (F/KNB)8 Tobi Ogundiran, P.A. Cornell.......................... (LT)33 Tehilahaya Rak, Thai Divone,
Thomas Ha....................................................... (F/CYH)9 Mandy Slater, Ian Drury, Stephen Jones, Chen Ganot, Liad Lerner, Idan Karev,
Paolo Bacigalupi.............................................(F/JTP)11 Jo Fletcher..........................................................(FM)33 Raz Kolodni...............................................(F/AAS)36
Vajra Chandrasekera................................ (F/SAW)29 Sharon Shinn, Ginny Logan Daphne Tonge.............................................. (F/RAB)37
Scott H. Andrews, Galen Dara, AKA Virginia Smith......................................... (LT)33 Greg and Tim Hildebrandt.................................(F)76
Heather Graham, Phenderson Djèlí Clark, Lauren C. Teffeau, Fran Wilde....................... (LT)33 Bruce Boston........................................................ (BG)76
Michael Swanwick........................................ (FM)30 Brandon O’Brien, Andrea Blythe, Tim Sullivan................................................... (F/OTH)77
Ellen Klages, Joe Haldeman, Gay Haldeman, Holly Lyn Walrath............................................ (LT)33 Niagara Falls...........................................................(LT)78
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Cecilia Tan, Rosemary Claire Smith, Maurice Broaddus, Mur Lafferty.................. (LT)33 Liza Groen Trombi.................................... (F/NT)78
A.T. Greenblatt................................................ (FM)30 Melinda Mitchell, Emily C. Skaftun............(FM)33 Gary K. Wolfe, Paul Witcover..........................(LT)78 (2023)
Therese Pieczynski, Pat Murphy................ (FM)30 Christine Taylor-Butler, Jay Hartlove..........(FM)33 Liza Groen Trombi, Francesca Myman......(LT)78
Dominick Rabrun & Leslye Penelope......... (FM)30 Costi Gurgu, John Kessel................................. (LT)33 Casella Brookins, Rich Horton.......................(LT)78
Peter Schneider & Jennifer Brehl.............. (FM)30 Glennis LeBlanc, Laura Anne Gilman, Liza Groen Trombi, Gay Haldeman &
Betsy Wollheim & Peter Stampfel............. (FM)30
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Rina Weisman..................................................(FM)33
Mari Kotani & Takayuki Tatsumi..................(FM)33
Joe Haldeman....................................................(LT)78 Locus Online
Sonja Ryst, Hildy Silverman.......................... (FM)31 Sharon Mannell, Derwin Mak.......................(FM)33 Photo Listing: (F/CAL) Chandra Lynch, Ankh <www.locusmag.com>
Jenna Hanchey, Will McMahon, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Charles de Lint......... (LT)33 Productions, (F/JEF) Joe Funk, (CS) Cat Sparks,
Scott H. Andrews........................................... (FM)31 Eileen Gunn, Madeleine E. Robins, (F/LMH) Luminish under CCxSA 4.0 license, (F/
Sara Felix, Dale K. Hanes, April Steenburgh............................................(FM)33 SRF) Super Festivals under CCA 2.0 Generic In December, Locus Online features weekly
Gary K. Wolfe................................................... (FM)31 Shirley Meier, Briar Jane Parker, license, (F/KNB) Kilian Blum, (F/CYH) Cynthia listings of notable new books; periodic list-
Susan Forest, James Alan Gardner, Debi Chowdhury............................................(FM)33 Ha, (F/JTP) JT Thomas Photography, (F/SAW)
Mark Leslie........................................................ (FM)31 Karen Fishwick, Don Weimer, Gabi Morel, Sanjeewa Weerasinghe, (FM) Francesca Myman,
ings of periodicals; and ‘‘Blinks’’ to online
Patrick Swenson, Gordon Van Gelder, Stacy Masiello ................................................(FM)33 (LT) Liza Groen Trombi, (F/JSC) James Coughlan, reviews, articles, and genre e-publications.
Jacob Weisman............................................... (FM)31 Diana M. Pho, Jennifer Brozek, Sarah Gailey, (F/AAS) Aya Shimanovski, (F/KID) Kai Dekel, (F/ In addition the site posts breaking news
Martha Wells, Lee Harris................................ (FM)31 Arley Sorg..................................................... (F/JSC)34 RAB) Rebecca Bentliff, (BG) Beth Gwinn, (F/OTH) posted by the Locus staff; columns, sample
Galen Dara, Vincent Villafranca..................(FM)32 Waubgeshig Rice.......................................... (F/JSC)34 OcelotHod under a CCAxSA 3.0 license, (F/NT) reviews, and excerpted interviews from the
Derek Ford, Jeffrey Ford, Marie Bilodeau, Brandon Crilly.............. (F/JSC)34 Nora Trombi, (F) Furnished.
Ellen Datlow......................................................(FM)32 Hayden Trenholm, Tiffany Morris, Magazine; and periodic Roundtable posts
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Roshani Anandappa,
Ben Berman Ghan, Carolyne Topdjian,
Ai Jiang, Madona Skaff-Koren,
AD INDEX from Alvaro Zinos-Amaro.
Mary Anne Mohanraj...................................(FM)32 Carolyn Charron........................................ (F/JSC)34 Amazing Selects..............................................................2
Phenderson Djèlí Clark, Evan May, Cortni Fernandez, Brandon Crilly, Locus........................................................... 4,34,54,79,80
Bill Campbell....................................................(FM)32 Erin Rockfort............................................... (F/JSC)34 Norah Woodsey................................................................2
Michael Swanwick & Marianne Porter, Christine Mitzuk........................................................(F)35 Odyssey.............................................................................65
Robert J. Sawyer & Carolyn Clink..........(FM)32 ICon crowd scene........................................(F/AAS)36 Saga Press....................................................................... 77
Dennis Pozzessere & Gye Ronen, Lili Dei, Efrat Pauker, Tor....................................................................................40,41
 Harvey Wins Booker
Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Jonathan
Cape; Grove Atlantic US) is the winner of
the 2024 Man Booker Prize. It depicts the
lives of astronauts, and is ‘‘the first Booker
Prize-winning book set in space.’’
This year’s shortlist also included James by
Percival Everett (Mantle; Doubleday US).
The £50,000 prize is ‘‘open to works by
writers of any nationality, written in Eng-
lish and published in the UK or Ireland.’’
This year’s judges were Sara Collins, Justine The Ignyte Awards Committee has announced the winners of the
Jordan, Yiyun Li, Nitin Sawhney, and chair Samantha Harvey (2019) 2024 Ignyte Awards.
Edmund de Waal. The award was announced in a ceremony in London. Outstanding Novel: Adult: The Saint of Bright Doors, Vajra Chan-
Shortlisted authors receive £2,500 and a ‘‘specially bound edition of drasekera (Tordotcom).
their book.’’ For more: <thebookerprizes.com>.  Outstanding Novel: YA: I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me,
Jamison Shae (Henry Holt).

SFWA Special Election Results Outstanding Middle Grade: Abeni’s Song, P. Djèlí Clark (Starscape).
Outstanding Novella: The Lies of the Ajungo, Moses Ose Utomi
(Tordotcom).
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) has an-
Outstanding Novelette: ‘‘Spell for Grief and Longing’’, Eboni J. Dunbar
nounced the results of its special election. Kate Ristau was elected president,
(Fiyah Spring ’23).
and Steven D. Brewer as secretary.
Outstanding Short Story: ‘‘A Witch’s Transition in the City of Ghosts’’,
The newly elected officers and directors-at-large will serve on the SFWA
Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe (Beneath Ceaseless Skies 4/20/23).
Board from November 1st, 2024, through June 30th, 2025. The rest of the
Outstanding Speculative Poetry: ‘‘My Mother, she ate me’’, Akua Lezli
current board includes Anthony Eichenlaub, vice president; Jonathan Brazee,
Hope (Fiyah Winter ’23).
CFO; and Christine Taylor-Butler, Phoebe Barton, Alton Kremer, and Noah
Critics Award: Alex Brown.
Sturdevant, directors-at-large.
Outstanding Fiction Podcast: Levar Burton Reads.
The Board and staff ‘‘would like to thank the candidates who volunteered
Outstanding Artist: Rovina Cai.
their time and expertise to run for office and those who continue to serve the
Outstanding Comics Team: Kill Your Darlings, Ethan S. Parker, Griffin
organization in various ways. Most of our programs, services, committees,
Sheridan, Bob Quinn (Image).
and the Board of Directors are run by volunteers.’’
Outstanding Anthology/Collected Works: No One Will Come Back
The special election was called following the resignation of president Jeffe
for Us, Premee Mohamed (Undertow).
Kennedy and vice president Chelsea Mueller, among others. Secretary
Outstanding Creative Nonfiction: ‘‘The Magic is in the Roots: Cultural
Anthony W. Eichenlaub was interim president. For more: <www.sfwa.
Reconnection Through Magical Realism,’’ Lysz Flo (Fiyah Winter ’23).
org/2024/10/29/2024-sfwa-special-election-results>.
Ember Award: Sheree Renée Thomas.
Community Award: khōréō.
The awards ‘‘seek to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of the current
and future landscapes of science fiction, fantasy, and horror by recog-
nizing incredible feats in storytelling and outstanding efforts toward
inclusivity of the genre.’’
The longlist is selected by a jury ‘‘comprised of 20 individuals; a mix
of avid readers, reviewers, FIYAHCON staff, and winners from previ-
ous years,’’ with selections ranked by a point system; the top five in each
category form the shortlists. Winners are then chosen via a ‘‘free, public
ballot.’’ For more: <ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com>. 

The Final Kitschies Awards Shortlist

Finalists for the 2023 Kitschies, awarded for ‘‘the year’s most progressive, (Picador); Bang Bang Bodhisattva, Aubrey Wood (Solaris).
intelligent and entertaining fiction that contains elements of the specula- The Inky Tentacle (Cover Art): Remember, Mr Sharma, A.P. Firdaus,
tive or fantastic,’’ have been announced. design by Nathan Burton (Sceptre); The Vegan, Andrew Lipstein, design
The directors of the award have announced that this, their 15th year, by Cecilia R. Zhang (FSG); Julia, Sandra Newman, design by Luke Bird
will ‘‘be the final year of the prize, citing the increased (Granta); Out There Screaming, Jordan Peele & John
time-commitment required both of the prize’s ad- Joseph Adams, eds., design by Janay Nachel Frazier &
ministrators and its judges. They note, however, that Stuart Wilson and art by Arnold J. Kemp (Picador);
this year’s diverse lists make the perfect swan-song Lioness, Emily Perkins, design by Greg Heinimann
for the award.’’ Design (Bloomsbury).
The Red Tentacle (Novel): Infinity Gate, M.R. Carey Finalists were chosen from 278 submissions, from
(Orbit); In Ascension, Martin MacInnes (Atlantic); Ju- over 65 publishers. Novel and debut winners will be
lia, Sandra Newman (Granta); Jungle House, Julianne selected by judges Anne Charnock, Leila Abu El Hawa,
Pachico (Serpent’s Tail); The Premonition, Banana Nick Mamatas, and Molly Tanzer. Winners will receive
Yoshimoto, translated by Asa Yoneda (Faber & Faber). tentacle trophies and a total prize of £2,000, sponsored
The Golden Tentacle (Debut): Shark Heart, Emily by Blackwell’s.
Habeck (Arcadia); The Cloisters, Katy Hays (Tran- The awards will be presented in a ceremony at the
sworld); Your Wish is My Command, Deena Mo- end of November in London. For more: <thekitschies.
hamed (Granta); The Centre, Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi com>.

6 / LOCUS December 2024

THE DATA FILE
Burton Wins Humanities Medal  american-library-association-unveils-shortlist- against the district for the removal of these
Actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton was 2025-andrew-carnegie-medals-excellence>. books from school libraries without due process.
one of 19 recipients of the National Humanities However, the district maintained that each book
Medals. The 2022 and 2023 medals PW Best Books of 2024  was reviewed carefully before banning and that
were presented by President Biden Publishers Weekly has announced their decisions were sound. The books are to be
on Monday, October 21, 2024, in its list of the best books of 2024, returned to school libraries.
a private ceremony at the White divided into 13 categories. The Tit les removed included Margaret At-
House. Book of Love by Kelly Link (Ran- wood ’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Toni Mor-
The recipients include writers, dom House) and James by Percival rison’s The Bluest Eye, and many books that
historians, educators, and film- Everett (Doubleday) were on the included or centered on LGBTQ+ characters.
makers. Presentation of the medals overall Top 10 list. The removal of these titles was referred to by
was followed by a reception ‘‘with The best books in the SF/Fantasy/ Federal Judge Sharon Gleason as a ‘‘suppression
remarks by President Biden, First Horror category are: Memorials, of ideas’’ in the October 2024 ruling.
Lady Dr. Jill Biden, National En- Richard Chizmar (Gallery); Metal
dowment for the Arts Chair Maria from Heaven, August Clarke (Ere- Fishing Fortress Awards  The win-
Rosario Jackson, PhD, and National whon); Midnight Rooms, Donyae ners of the second Fishing Fortress Science Fic-
Endowment for the Humanities Coles (Amistad); The Mercy of tion Awards, honoring the best in Chinese SF
Chair Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo).’’ Gods, James S.A. Corey (Orbit); writing, were announced on November 9, 2024.
LeVar Burton (2020) The Full Moon Coffee Shop, Mai
Lowe said, ‘‘The National Hu- Sci-Fi Master Achievement: Han Song.
manities Medal recipients have enriched our Mochizuki, translated by Jesse Kirkwood (Bal- Sci-Fi Promoter Achievement: San Feng.
world through writing that moves and inspires lantine); Moon of the Turning Leaves, Waub- Sci-Fi Educator Achievement: Li Guangyi.
us; scholarship that enlarges our understand- geshig Rice (Morrow); The City in Glass, Nghi Sci-Fi Publisher Achievement: Yang Feng.
ing of the past; and through their dedication Vo (Tordotcom). Sci-Fi Translator Achievement: Li Keqin.
to educating, informing, and giving voice to The Fiction category includes: A Sunny Place Sci-Fi Academy Award: Yan Feng.
communities and histories often overlooked.’’ for Shady People, Mariana Enriquez, translated Marco Polo Award: Francesco Verso.
The Medals honor ‘‘an individual or organi- by Megan McDowell (Hogarth); Pink Slime, Best Novel: Once Upon a Time in Nanjing,
zation whose work has deepened the nation’s Fernanda Trías, translated by Heather Cleary Tianrui Shuofu.
understanding of the human experience, (Scribner); Praiseworthy, Alexis Wright (New Best Novella: ‘‘The Cyber Peach Blossom
broadened citizens’ engagement with history Directions). Spring’’, Jiang Bo.
or literature, or helped preserve and expand Mystery/Thriller has: Lost Man’s Lane, Scott Best Short Story:‘‘The Stars That Do Not
Americans’ access to cultural resources.’’ They Carson (Atria/Bestler). Romance includes: The Dream’’, Chi Hui.
are given by the National Endowment for the Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love, India Best New Star: Lu Hang.
Humanities in conjunction with the National Holton (Berkley); A Novel Love Story, Ashley International Novel: Babel, R.F Kuang.
Medals of Arts. Poston (Berkley). Young Adult features: Icarus, International Novella: Rose/House, Arkady
Burton is best known for his role as Kunta K. Ancrum (HarperTeen); Songlight, Moira Martine.
Kinte in the TV series Roots (1977) and his por- Buffini (HarperCollins); The Dividing Sky, Jill International Novelette: ‘‘The Year Without
trayal of Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Tew (Joy Revolution). Middle Grade has: Car- Sunshine’’, Naomi Kritzer.
Generation (1987-1994), and as host of children’s nival Chaos, Tracey Baptiste (Freedom Fire); International Story: ‘‘Better Living Through
program Reading Rainbow (1983-2006), instill- Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood, Robert Algorithm’’, Naomi Kritzer.
ing a love of literature into generations of young Beatty (Disney Hyperion); Island of Whispers, International New Star: Gabriela Damián
readers. From 2071 to 2024 he hosted popular Frances Hardinge (Amulet); Impossible Crea- Miravete.
podcast LeVar Burton Reads, featuring stories tures, Katherine Rundell (Knopf). The organizers also celebrated publishers,
by writers including Ray Bradbury, Octavia For more, including t he complete list: translators, editors, educators, and industry
E. Butler, Stephen King, and Nnedi Okorafor, <best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best- professionals during the ceremony. The winners
among many others. For more: <www.neh. books/2024>. split one million yuan in prize money.
gov/news/president-biden-awards-2022-and- The awards are sponsored by Taishan Col-
2023-national-humanities-medals>. B&N Book of the Year Winner  lege of Science and Technology and organized
James by Percival Everett (Knopf) is the win- by Penglai Science Fiction College. For more,
Andrew Carnegie Medal Shortlists ner of the Barnes and Noble Book of the Year see <www.china.org.cn/arts/2024-11/14/con-
and fantasy novel Impossible Creatures
 The American Library Association (ALA) has 2024, by Katherine Rundell (Random House Chil-
tent_117545709.htm>.
announced the shortlists for the 2025 Andrew
dren's Books) is the winner for Children's Book
Carnegie Medals for Excellence for ‘‘the best
of the Year.
Reactor’s Most Iconic SF  Reactor (for-
fiction and nonfiction books for adult readers merly Tor.com) compiled a list of ‘‘The Most
Shortlisted titles are nominated by Barnes and
published in the U.S. in the previous year’’ with Iconic Speculative Fiction Books of the 21st
Noble booksellers. The winner was announced
three fiction and three non-fiction titles. Century’’ in various categories.
on November 15, 2024. For more, including
The fiction shortlist includes James by occa- Works in Translation: Tender Is the Flesh,
the complete shortlist: <www.barnesandnoble.
sional SF writer Percival Everett (Knopf). The Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Moses
com/b/books/awards/barnes-noble-book-of-
non-fiction list includes Challenger: A True (Scribner); I’m Waiting For You and Other
the-year/_/N-29Z8q8Z2xc0>.
Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Stories, Kim Bo-Young, translated by Sophie
Space by Adam Higginbotham (Avid Reader), Bowman and Sung Ryu (Harper Voyager);
about the 1986 space shuttle tragedy. Book Ban News  In a victory for free- Cursed Bunny: Stories, Bora Chung, trans-
The 2025 selection committee chair Allison dom-to-read activists, the Matan uska-Susinta lated by Anton Hur (Algonquin); Our Share
Escoto will announce the two medal winners Borough School District in Alaska agreed to pay of Night, Mariana Enriquez, translated by
at the Reference and User Services Association’s $89,000 for indiscriminately removing 56 books Megan McDowell (Hogarth); Things We Lost
Book and Media Awards livestreaming event, from library shelves. in the Fire, Mariana Enriquez, translated by
premiered during LibLearnX in Phoenix AZ on In November 2023, the American Civil Lib- Megan McDowell (Hogarth); Shubeik Lubeik,
January 26, 2025. Winners receive $5,000 and a erties Union of Alaska, the Northern Justice Deena Mohamed (Pantheon); 1Q84 by Haruki
medal. For more: <www.ala.org/news/2024/11/ Project, and eight local plaintiffs filed a suit  p. 72
LOCUS December 2024 / 7
PEOPLE & PUBLISHING
& Media. Anyoku at Atria via Hilary Mc-
Milestones MARIE BRENNAN & ALYC Mahon of Westwood Creative
HELMS writing as M.A. CAR- Artists. Canadian rights went
CLIO EVANS is now repre- RICK sold alternate histor y to Janice Zawerbny at Harper
sented by Stevie Finegan of novel The Sea Beyond and a Canada.
Zeno Agency Ltd. second book to Tiana Coven MONA AWAD sold We Love
at Orbit via Eddie Schneider of You, Bunny, ‘‘a prequel and a
Awards JABberwocky Literary Agency
for Brennan and Cameron Mc-
sequel’’ to Bunny, plus another
standalone novel to Marysue
HAYAO MIYA Z AKI is this Clure of Donald Maass Literary Rucci at Marysue Rucci Books
year’s recipient of the Forry Agency for Helms. for seven figures via Bill Clegg
Award for lifetime achievement M. STEVENSON sold roman- of The Clegg Agency. UK rights
in the SF field, presented by The tasy Behooved and a second sold to Chris White at Scrib-
Los Angeles Science Fantasy book to Calah Singleton at Hod- ner UK and Canadian rights to
Society. Miyazaki is the founder derscape for six figures in a pre- Nicole Winstanley at Simon &
of Studio Ghibli and an Academy empt via Maddy Belton of Mad- Schuster Canada.
Award-winning filmmaker. The eleine Milburn Literary Agency. DAVID ANNANDALE sold Isabel Cañas (2019)
award, named for Forrest J Ack- US rights went to Lindsey Hall fantasy novel The Sleep of Em-
erman, has been given annually at Bramble in a three-book deal. pires and a second book to Rene beth Agyemang at 47North via
since 1966. CAIT JACOBS’s fantasy Medi- Sears at Pyr via Robert Lecker of Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.
evally Blonde, ‘‘loosely inspired Robert Lecker Agency. Quercus publishing director
Books Sold by Legally Blonde,’’ went to
Elizabeth Vaziri at Voyager UK
ANNA RASCHE sold histori-
cal fantasy The Midnight Dia-
ANNE PERRY, writing as AMY
COOMBE, sold cozy fantasy
SEANAN MCGUIRE, writing via Josh Adams of Adams Liter- mond to Erika Imranyi at Park Stay for a Spell and two more
as MIRA GRANT, sold alien in- ary. Priyanka Krishnan will edit. Row Books for six figures via books to Anne Sowards at Ace
vasion novel Overgrowth to Lee AMAL SINGH’s fantasy novel Stefanie Lieberman of Janklow at auction via Maddy Belton
Harris at Nightfire via Diana Fox Slow Burn went to Don D’Auria & Nesbit. of Madeleine Milburn Literary
of Fox Literary. at Flame Tree Press via Kanishka NICHOLAS RUSSELL sold Agency.
MOLLY TANZER sold And Gupta of Writer’s Side. eco-horror novel Observer NICK MEDINA’s horror novel
Side By Side They Wander, KIM FU sold literary horror and collection Southwestern The Whistler, ‘‘about a young
‘‘an interstellar art heist set 300 novel The Valley Of Vengeful Gothic to Rachel Sargent at Native American man with quad-
years in the future,’’ to Ellen Ghosts to Masie Cochran at Tin Ecco at auction via Danielle riplegia who has been haunted
Datlow at Tordotcom via Cam- House Books via Jackie Kaiser Bukowski of S terling Lord by a mythical specter’’ and a
eron McClure of Donald Maass of Westwood Creative Artists. Literistic. second book sold to Sareer
Literary Agency. Canadian rights went to Jennifer NAGI SHIMENO sold Japa- Khader at Berkley via Amanda
JOHN LANGAN’s cosmic hor- Lambert at Harper Canada. nese fantasy Messenger Cat Orozco of Transatlantic Literary
ror novel The Cleaving Stone DE ELIZABETH’s first adult in a Cafe, translated by M. Jean, Agency.
and collection Lost in the Dark novel, queer horror stor y A to Tarini Sipahimalani at Putnam AMY PENNZA’s Dhampira
and Other Excursions sold to Shared Haunting, sold to Ra- via Marina Penalva of Casanovas and two more in a vampire tril-
Ross Lockhart at Word Horde chael Kelly at Dutton via Saman- & Lynch Agency on behalf of ogy sold to Gabrielle Pachon at
via Ginger Clark of Ginger Clark tha Fabien of Root Literary. Emily Chuang of Emily Books Ace in a pre-empt via Amy A.
Literary. H. LEIGHTON DICKSON sold Agency. Collins at Talcott Notch Literary
PHILIP FRACASSI sold his- pirate fantasy Ship of Spells and DANIE SHOKOOHI’s fantasy Services.
torical horror novel Sarafina a second title to Liz Pelletier at Glass Girls went to Erin Wicks K ALYN JOSEPHSON sold
to Christoph Paul at Clash via Red Tower via Desiree Wilson at at Gillian Flynn Books in a pre- fantasy The Library of Amorlin
Elizabeth Copps of Copps Liter- Looking Glass Literary & Media. empt via Margaret Sutherland and another title to Viengsamai
ary Services. LEX CROUCHER sold dark Brown of Folio Literary Man- Fetters at Erewhon in a pre-
JONATHAN MABERRY sold academia fantasy The Unmagi- agement. empt via Carrie Pestritto of
books 16 and 17 in the Joe Ledger cal Life of Briar Jones and a CYNTHIA ST. AUBIN resold Laura Dail Literary Agency.
Rogue Team International series, second book to Priyanka Krish- paranormal mystery series Tails CHRISTA CARMEN’s horror
plus a standalone novel to Mi- nan at Voyager US at auction from the Alpha Art Gallery and novel How to Fake a Haunting
chael Homler at Griffin via Sara via Chloe Seager of Madeleine sold a new mystery trilogy to went to Gracie Doyle at Thomas
Crowe of Sara Crowe Literary. Milburn Literary Agency. Monique Patterson at Bramble & Mercer via Jill Marr of Sandra
ISABEL CAÑAS sold histori- ROWENNA MILLER’s histori- via Christine Witthohn of Book Dijkstra Literary Agency.
cal horror novel The Possession cal fantasy The Palace of Illu- Cents Literary Agency. MEGAN BONTRAGER’s The
of Alba Díaz to Jen Monroe at sions and a second book sold AUGUSTINE MARCH sold Sea Hides Its Dead and two
Berkley via Kari Sutherland of to Nivia Evans while she was at ‘‘time-bending love story’’ In more books sold to Alyea Cana-
kt literary. Orbit US via Jessica Sinsheimer Due Time to Laura Schreiber at da at Orbit and Nadia Saward at
A.C. WISE sold dark fantasy of Contex t Literar y Agency. Avon via Jim McCarthy of Dystel, Orbit UK in a pre-empt via Clara
novel Ballad of the Bone Road Alyea Canada will edit. Goderich & Bourret. Chuiton of Olswanger Literary.
to Katie Dent at Titan Books via IVA MARIE PALMER sold NIKKI ST. CROWE sold the E L I Z A B E T H E V E R E T T ’s
Barry Goldblatt of Barry Goldb- holiday fantasy Christmas Great & Terrible Land trilogy, paranormal romantic comedy
latt Literary LLC. People and a second book to inspired by The Wizard of Oz, to Magic and Mischief at the
MOLLY X . CHANG sold a Eileen Rothschild at St. Martin’s Erika Tsang at Bramble for seven Wayside Hotel and another
romantasy trilogy beginning via Viana Siniscalchi and Joelle figures at auction via Joanna book went to Sarah Blumen-
with The Nightblood Prince to Hobeika of Alloy Entertainment. Volpe and Suzie Townsend of stock at Berkley via Ann Leslie
Bethen Morgan at Gollancz in GLENN DIXON sold literary New Leaf Literary & Media. Tuttle of Dystel, Goderich &
a six-figure pre-empt via Tracy fantasy The Infinite Sadness JESSICA KHOURY’s fantasy Bourret.
Williams of New Leaf Literary of Small Appliances to Ifeoma The Moorwitch went to Eliza- DANAI CHRISTOPOULOU
8 / LOCUS December 2024
 MACKENZIE NOLAN sold LOGAN SPURGEON sold twist,’’ Maybe Tomorrow I’ll
horror novel Veal to Pia Singhal Southern Gothic Sourwood to Know, and a second title sold
at ECW Press. Cassandra Thompson at Quill to Kristin Allard at Norton Young
RASCAL HARTLEY’s SF hor- & Crow. Readers via Jenna Satterthwaite
ror novel Dear Stupid Penpal NATALIE BROWN’s fantasy A of Storm Literary Agency.
sold to Matt Blairstone at Ten- Bounty of Blood and Nails went JONATHAN VAN NESS &
ebrous Press. Alex Woodroe to Lisa Green at City Owl Press. JULIE MURPHY’s sold queer YA
will edit. SUSAN DENNARD sold ghost story Let Them Stare sold
DARBY COX sold fantasy A YA fantasy The Executioners to Alessandra Balzer while at
Day of Breath to Desola Coker Three to Lindsey Hall at Tor Teen Harper Children’s via Gwen Beal
at Angry Robot via Amy A. Col- for six figures via Joanna Volpe and Albert Lee of UTA for Van
lins of Talcott Notch Literary of New Leaf Literary & Media. Ness and John Cusick of Folio
Services. Aislyn Fredsall will edit. UK Literary Management for Mur-
THOMAS WHARTON’s rights went to Daphne Tonge at phy. Kristin Daly Rens will edit.
‘‘genre-bending fairy tale’’ Dog: Daphne Press via Sarah Gerton AUTUMN KRAUSE’s Blood
A Fable went to Anne Collins of New Leaf Literary & Media on Art, inspired by Japanese folk-
Thomas Ha (2020) at Random House Canada, in a behalf of Volpe. lore, went to Ashley Hearn at
pre-empt via Denise Bukowski MAR IS SA ME Y E R & TA - Peachtree Teen via Susan Hawk
sold ‘‘horromantasy’’ Vile Lady of The Bukowski Agency. MARA MOSS sold YA The Es- of Upstart Crow Literary.
Villains to Jorgie Bain at Michael JASMINE MAS sold Psy- cape Game and a second book YEJIN SUH’s The Last Sol-
Joseph via Lauren Bieker of cho Shifters, Psycho Fae, and to Ruta Rimas and Gretchen dier of Nava, inspired by Korean
FinePrint Literary Management. Psycho Beasts in the Cruel Durning at Putnam Children’s mythology, sold to Ajebowale
LINDSAY STR AUBE sold Shifterverse series to Cat Clyne at auction via Jill Grinberg of Jill Roberts at Magpie via Allegra
Kiss of the Basilisk, starting at Canary Street via Kimberly Grinberg Literary Management. Mar tschenko of Ladderbird
the Split or Swallow romantasy Whalen of the Whalen Agency. TIFFANY WANG’s YA fantasy Literary Agency. Chloe Gough
series, and two more titles to DANA DIEHL’s speculative Tempest’s Queen, sequel to will edit.
Christa Desir at Bloom Books collection The Earth Room Inferno’s Heir, sold to Kevin YASMIN ANGOE’s Black vam-
for six figures. UK rights went to went to Diane Goettel at Black Norman at Bindery Books via pire novel She Drinks the Light,
Anne Perry at Arcadia Books in Lawrence Press. Kelly Van Sant at kt literary. UK inspired by Ghanaian folklore/
a pre-empt via Suzannah Ball of H.R. HAMILTON’s Claimed rights sold to Georgina Mitchell West African traditions, sold to
William Morris Endeavor. by Darkness went to Lisa Green at Hachette Children’s via Taryn Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and
AMANDA LINSMEIER’s goth- at City Owl Press. Fagerness Agency on behalf of Friends at auction via Temple
ic historical fantasy A Dance GLORIA DUKE’s ‘‘paranormal Bindery Books. Hill Entertainment and Melissa
with Death sold to Amanda Chiu romp about charming mer- JESSICA MARY BEST’s YA Edwards at Stonesong.
Krohn at Keylight via Juliana men set along the beaches and dystopian sapphic romance LUCY SMOKE’s Sons of Sa-
McBride of Rebecca Friedman boardwalks of the Jersey Shore’’ You Pierce My Soul went to lem New Adult fantasy trilogy
Literary. and a second title sold to Mary Jessica Yang at Quirk Books via went to Eileen Rothschild at St.
D. E . ROGE R S sold alter- Altman at Sourcebooks Casa- Michaela Whatnall of Dystel, Martin’s at auction via Josi Beck
nate history Black States of blanca via Maria Napolitano of Goderich & Bourret. of Beck Literary Agency.
America, set in a world where kt literary. ADEN POLYDOROS sold YA ROZ MACLAREN sold roman-
Abraham Lincoln was not mur- ALETHEA LYONS’s The Som- SF novel If I Can’t Have You to tic YA fantasy Fable and Legend
dered, to Abby West at Amistad nia, in which a woman must Lauren Knowles at Page Street and two other titles to Nancy
via Chris Winhaven of Winhaven follow a dangerous path through via Sam Farkas of Jill Grinberg Schumacher at Satin Romance.
Agency in association with Viola the dreamscape to find a super- Literary Management. Jane Bonander will edit.
Davis’s JVL Media. Makayla Ta- natural killer, sold to S.D. Vas- SONORA JHA sold YA fan- THOMAS HA’s first collection
bron will edit. sallo at Brigids Gate. MJ Pankey tasy Intemperance and resold Uncertain Sons and Other
JAROD ANDERSON sold fan- will edit. Foreign (previously published Stories sold to Michael Kelly at
tasy Strange Animals to Julian REVEY GALAER’s Unfamiliar only in India) to Rakesh Satyal Undertow.
Pavia at Ballantine in a pre-empt went to Tee Tate at City Owl at Harper Via via Soumeya Ben- New writer MORGAN LOCK-
via Rach Crawford of Wolf Liter- Press. dimerad Roberts of HG Literary. HART’s romantic holiday fantasy
ary Services. LAUREN LEE SMITH sold ANA DAVIS’s My Keen Knife A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart
CAMERON REED sold SF horror Western The Night Pool – a YA ‘‘historical fantasy retell- sold to Charlotte Peters at Dut-
novel What We Are Seeking to Daniel Ehrenhaft at Black- ing of Macbeth’’ – and a second ton in a pre-empt via Aurora Fer-
and a second title to Patrick stone Publishing via Chad Luibl book sold to Amanda Chiu nandez of Trident Media Group.
Nielsen Hayden at Tor via Lauren of Janklow & Nesbit. Krohn at Keylight via Allegra GREER STOTHERS sold de-
Bajek of Liza Dawson Associ- BEN ALDERSON & LAURA Martschenko of Ladderbird Lit- but queer comedic fantasy Ap-
ates. R. SAMOTIN sold vampire nov- erary Agency. parently, Sir Cameron Needs
LAURIE L. DOVE sold fan- els The Shadows Have Teeth BRENNON L ANE ’s queer to Die to Katie Dent at Titan
tasy Wrath of the Water Tiger, and The Darkness Bites Back BIPOC YA time-travel romance Books via Ben Miller-Callihan of
sequel to Mask of the Deer to Eleanor Teasdale at Angry Ro- Falling Into You went to Tamara Handspun Literary Agency.
Woman, and a second book to bot via Hannah VanVels Ausbury Grasty at Page Street via Connor New writer K.M. FAJARDO’s
Carly James at Berkley via Sha- of Belcastro Agency. Eck of the Eck Agency. Local Heavens, a queer cyber-
ron Pelletier of Dystel, Goderich K IT ANDE R SON sold S F S A N D R A J . PA U L s o l d punk reimagining of Fitzgerald’s
& Bourret. novel Second Shift to Ricky YA paranormal thriller Dead The Great Gatsby, sold to Kath-
MINDY HUNG’s fantasy The Miller at Avery Hill. Girls Don’t Talk to Marilyn ryn Budig at Bindery Books via
Glowing Life of Leeann Wu J.P. ROTH sold fantasy Divi- Brigham at Skyscape via Melissa Laura Rennert of Andrea Brown
sold to Jess Verdi at Alcove Press nica to Lisa Green at City Owl Vandeputte of Hamley Books. Literary Agency.
via Sarah Younger of Nancy Yost Press via Stephanie Hansen of ALEX RITANY’s YA time-loop Debut author GIGI LITTLE
Literary Agency. Metamorphosis Literary Agency. romance ‘‘with a body swap  p. 75
LOCUS December 2024 / 9
P ‘‘S
aolo Tadini Bacigalupi was born August 6, 1972 in Colorado o... where the fuck have you been?’’ That seems like a is going to read it, if you shut out the idea of the crowds beyond, if you shut out
Springs CO, moving with his parents to rural western Colorado good start to the whole interview. So, where the fuck the editorial voices in your head?
soon after. When his parents divorced, he split his time between have I been? ‘‘We talk a lot in writing about how if your internal editor gets too involved,
them, finishing high school at the private Colorado Rocky Mountain ‘‘I had a really good run of pretty successful books both in adult it becomes very hard to write and to create. But really, the editor was just one of
School. He attended Oberlin College in OH, where he met his wife- and YA. I was publishing a YA book every year or year and a half, and a thousand voices in my head howling at me: ‘How dare you write this? Don’t
to-be Anjula (they married in 1998) and majored in East Asian I was also restarting my adult career with The Water Knife. I started do that! This shouldn’t be written! Is this worthwhile? This is stupid! Does this
Studies, spending time in China for foreign-language immersion. promoting that, as well as continuing to write for the YA career. That build on the plot? Is this a well-written phrase?’ It was just a cacophony in my
After graduating in 1994 he worked in China as a consultant, helping was about 2016. I had been hammering away for the last six or seven head. So I was trying to figure out if I might write quietly again.
foreign companies enter the Chinese market. He returned to the US, years, and I started crashing. I was burned out – exhausted. One of ‘‘There are a couple of things I liked about doing those 500 words a day: one,
and in 1996 worked for an early web development company in Boston. the weird things about being more successful than I’d ever imagined I that it was such a small amount, and two, that it was never meant to be seen. It
could be was that it brought on a whole set of new complex problems – was an opportunity to observe myself and see how I was interacting with that
He and Anjula lived in Denver before returning to the small town of
in terms of business, and how to deal with the outside world, and how creative work. When there aren’t any stakes involved, you can see your creative
Paonia in 2006. Bacigalupi worked as the online editor for High Country
to deal with reactions to the books. They were all theoretically good responses – or your editorial responses, I guess – to the process of writing, and
News, a biweekly environmental newspaper in print and online, before problems, because they’re indicators that you’ve been successful, but hear the voices rise up. I’d be like, ‘Oh! There’s a finger-wagging voice.’ As if I
becoming a full-time fiction writer. they’re still intense, and if you aren’t ready for it, they can really take could hear my grandmother saying, ‘How dare you!’ Or I could imagine the
Bacigalupi was a frequent contributor to F&SF, publishing his first you out. Between the exhaustion of the work and getting overwhelmed worst, most asinine person on Twitter screaming at me for making something. like, ‘Oh, that feels playful. I’ll give it a shot.’ I poked at it, and started to create
story there, ‘‘Pocketful of Dharma’’, in 1999, though he first came to by those various challenges, I crashed out. I’d see those voices arise, and there would be opportunities, then, to set those a little bit of a world – and I never delivered a story to Jonathan. But the world
wide attention with Sturgeon finalist ‘‘The Fluted Girl’’ (2003) and Hugo ‘‘Sometime during 2016, I think, there was a moment when I voices aside and say, ‘No, no; I’m going forward here; I see you, but I’m writing was interesting, and the characters that I started to generate were interesting.
and Nebula Award nominee ‘‘The People of Sand and Slag’’ (2004). pretty much had a nervous breakdown and completely shut down. I this thing, now.’ Because the thing didn’t have to become anything, it was just, I kept returning to that during the whole period of doing 500 words a day.
His work has also appeared in Asimov’s and other magazines and stopped being able to write. I stopped being able to create anything. for a while, an exercise in observing inside myself how many different voices ‘‘That exploration felt very organic. Since I was not actually conceiving of
anthologies. Other stories include ‘‘The Pasho’’ (2004); Hugo nominee I was trying to write, but it was bad, or it was broken, or it was really would rise up. Everything from, ‘Well, this character doesn’t make sense, this myself as writing a book, it meant that I could be very lush with my thinking
and Sturgeon Award winner ‘‘The Calorie Man’’ (2005); ‘‘The Tamarisk stressful to even try. Writing felt a lot like sticking my finger in an story doesn’t make sense, this plot doesn’t make sense, this setting doesn’t make and ideas and worldbuilding. I could build and build and build and build
Hunter’’ (2006); Hugo and Sturgeon Award finalist and Asimov’s Award electric socket. Just trying to do the activity, the creative work, was sense’ – those kind of craft-level things, to other more vicious voices. I was able and there wasn’t any voice in my head saying, ‘You need to keep this under
winner ‘‘Yellow Card Man’’ (2006); ‘‘Small Offerings’’ (2007); ‘‘Softer’’ damaging to my brain. I ended up in a kind of pit, deeply depressed, to finally see them clearly enough to dismiss them. That was part of what that 120,000 words, and we need a plot arc, and we need this and that and this...’ It
(2007); Hugo, Sturgeon, and Nebula Award nominee ‘‘The Gambler’’ pretty much nonfunctional, and it took me quite a while to dig out of process achieved. was like, ‘Now I’m going to write a myth, and now I want to write a song, and
(2008); and Nebula Award finalist novella The Alchemist (2011). Many that hole. It ended up being not just one thing, but numerous things ‘‘And it turned out that when I removed all pressure, it just became more now I want to describe how the ecosystems of the forest work,’ or whatever.
of his stories were collected in Locus Award winner Pump Six and I had to do in order to recenter myself. of a game. The more permission you have, the more creative you feel, and it ‘‘Without a requirement for structure, it gave me permission to explore.
Other Stories (2008). His collection The Tangled Lands (2018), co- ‘‘The first thing was, I ended up on antidepressants for a while, which was such a small amount of work. Those 500 words on a given day might take Since I was working on something that wasn’t meant to be seen by anybody,
written with Tobias S. Buckell, won a World Fantasy Award. were a huge relief just because I was so deep in the hole. I also did a lot me 15 or 20 minutes. I’d just blurt the words onto the page. Sometimes I’d any time I thought, ‘Is this absurd for me to do, is this overly Tolkienesque,
First novel The Windup Girl (2009) was a huge critical and com- of therapy, including somatic therapy, trauma therapy. It was rough, find something interesting, though. And what a delight then! ‘Hey look, I’m am I about to start creating Elvish or something like that?’ The answer was, ‘I
mercial success, named one of the top ten fiction books of the year by and during that period I was also experiencing a lot of chronic pain writing! What fun!’ don’t give a fuck. I like this, so I’m going to do it anyway.’ If I wanted to write
Time magazine, and won Hugo, Campbell Memorial, Compton Crook, – I had chronic back pain that was almost crippling for a while. So I ‘‘If something was interesting, I’d keep going with it, and if it wasn’t in- a poem in Navolese, I’d write a poem in Navolese, and it made me happy.
Locus, and Nebula Awards. Near-future thriller The Water Knife (2015) was having all sorts of physiological, as well as emotional and mental, teresting, I walked away. There would be days when I’d write 2,000 words, ‘‘Another part that sort of fell into place was that a friend of mine invited
was a John W. Campbell Memorial Award finalist. kinds of breakdowns, and it was all intertwined. It took a lot of work to sometimes more – I’d create a scene, or a moment, or a character, and be me to go to Italy with him and study Italian. I wasn’t thinking about writ-
First YA novel Ship Breaker (2010) won the Michael L. Printz Award, unravel that, and restitch myself back into a functional person again. interested in exploring it. Over the course of several years of not deliberately ing a novel based in Italy, but I had been playing around with an Italianate
‘‘For a long time I was sure I was finished as a writer. Just completely writing, I generated hundreds of thousands of words, in a bunch of different world, so while I was over there I was accumulating details. Even though all
was nominated for the Andre Norton Award, was a finalist for the 2010
done. I’d lost all joy in writing. I started thinking seriously about what storylines. Some science fictional stuff, some erotic stuff – some very trashy I was doing was studying Italian and this was when I was at loose ends trying
National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, and made the
other work I might get, and what other careers I might try. I looked pornography, actually. If I ever publish my trashy sword & sorcery erotica, I to figure out what I was doing with my life it ended up also being research.
Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults list, presented by the American at becoming a solar installer, or going back to school and getting a probably won’t file the serial numbers off too much – I have enough of an ego ‘‘There was a point where I had probably written a couple hundred thou-
Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association. Sequel degree, maybe training to become a counselor. There were some jobs that I’d say, ‘Yep, that’s the porn I wrote.’ The thing is, though, if you’re writing sand words in the story (that wasn’t yet a book), and I suddenly realized that
The Drowned Cities appeared in 2012, and third volume Tool of War I was interested in that were like, ‘Oh, there are these other versions and you think, ‘This is fundamentally unpublishable,’ that expands your range I could see the ending. I could see this big arc of a story. I had written these
in 2017. Other works for young readers include middle-grade novel of life you could live that aren’t as damaging.’ But I was also doing a of what you can explore creatively. I generated a lot of different stories, and it 200,000 words, and I knew what some of the ending scenes were, and I saw
Zombie Baseball Beatdown (2012) and standalone SF YA The Doubt lot of journaling, just sort of trying to unpack how my head worked, turned out that one of them was growing and growing, and I was returning the very last line, and was like, ‘Wow, that’s an arc – that’s a whole, absolute
Factory (2014). and during that period, I started trying to do some writing, but not to it a lot, and I was enjoying it a lot, and that eventually became Navola. thing.’ And then I looked back at all the stuff I’d written, and I saw some of
Bacigalupi took a hiatus from book publishing (for reasons discussed for the external world to read. I would write 500 words a day, just to ‘‘It’s hard to give you a coherent narrative of a period where almost my entire it was actually pretty good – I liked these scenes, I liked these characters, I
in the interview), but returned this year with his first fantasy novel, see if I could do something creative without any purpose, direction, life felt fractured. Jonathan Strahan asked me to write a story for a dragon liked this stuff. And as it was dawning on me that I had all this material, I was
Navola, launching a new series set in a world inspired by Renaissance or demand for it to become something. Was writing even remotely anthology, and that was the seed. I almost never take short story invites, but also seeing that I had finally climbed out of my hole enough that the idea of
Italy. enjoyable? What does creativity feel like if you kill the idea that anyone that seemed so different from everything else that I’d ever worked on that it was  p. 68

LOCUS December 2024 / 11

LOCUS LOOKS AT SHORT FICTION: CHARLES PAYSEUR

Flash Fiction Online 9/24 to her, her mother, and magic in general in this imperiled state. It’s a tense, beautiful, dreamlike
Cast of Wonders 9/29/24 tense and rewarding read. story, and King does a great job slowly revealing
Escape Pod 9/19/24 what’s really happening, and how precarious this
Strange Horizons 9/16/24, 10/7/24, 10/14/24 Escape Pod’s September included Arden Baker’s situation truly is. David Bowers-Mason contin-
F&SF Summer ’24 postapocalyptic spy story ‘‘This Little War of ues the themes of loss and broken worlds in the
Kaleidotrope Autumn ’24 Ours’’, which follows the coded communications poem ‘‘Phrogger’’, which is a kind of haunted
Fiyah 10/24 of two spies on different sides of a conflict that house story. The narrator of the piece lingers in
Beneath Ceaseless Skies 10/3/24 has left Earth shattered and might have destroyed their home, watching a new family live there from
Diabolical Plots 10/24 all human colonies off-world as well. The story behind the wallpaper and in the forgotten spaces
Lightspeed 10/24 explores the utter pointlessness of this war, waged of the attic and walls. They have a body, one that
Baffling 10/24 for ideological reasons and ultimately so that men can fit into the narrowest confines, and they have
GigaNotoSaurus 10/24 with very fragile egos didn’t have to admit they patience enough to wait for their opportunity to
Small Wonders 10/24 were wrong. What remains is the connections make their presence fully known. It’s a very ap-

S
people made, both within and between people in propriate poem for October and spooky season,
eptember’s Flash Fiction Online starts strong the factions. Baker looks at fatalism, blame, hope, and it’s well worth checking out!
with Stefan Alcalá Slater’s ‘‘Tornado Break- and survival in a way that resonates as... human.
ers Don’t Cry’’, which finds siblings Ethel Flawed and terrible at times – destructive and After some delay, F&SF is back with a new sum-
and Edgar living in the shadow of their father, violent and seemingly incapable of living up to the mer issue, and Tonya R. Moore makes a strong
a famous tornado breaker, long after he’s gone promise of our abilities. And yet there’s something debut at the publication with ‘‘Water Baby’’, a
from their lives. Ethel has taken up the mantel, there, despite everything, that holds on, and might story that finds Niobe, one of the last holdouts
but when she fails to break a tornado that comes be worth rooting for. on an island community plagued by disappear-
through their town, she loses herself to the doubt ances and rising ocean waters. Ever since Niobe’s
and fear and inadequacy that her father instilled Strange Horizons has been firing on all cylinders mother, the mayor, went missing, she’s been do-
in her despite the joy she once took from riding lately, as with September’s ‘‘A War of Words’’ ing everything she can to hold the community
tornadoes. And it might just take Edgar, whose by Marie Brennan, a poem that imagines a war together, but nothing seems like enough, and
own path was much more domestic and caring, where the winners take more than wealth, more every day brings more people deciding to take
to remind her why she started riding tornadoes than land. They take language, leaving survivors their chances on the mainland. Climate change
to begin with, and how she can get her confidence without a way to contain their loss that isn’t filtered might be the least of her worries, though, when
back. Slater captures both the toxic and affirming through the lens of their oppressors. It digs into she uncovers something decidedly sinister going
sides of the Midwestern United States, where conflict and a war that is less about battle and loss on, and finds that there were a lot of things her
community expectations can stifle and constrict in the traditional sense and is much more about mother never told her. Moore succeeds at creat-
even as a deep well of nurturing and generosity losing a sense of self, a community, or national ing an eerie and captivating setting, an island
can help people overcome almost anything. It’s a identity. It’s a form of colonization, leaving the succumbing not only to the ocean but to its own
delightful and well-imagined story! defeated with no option but to adapt to a world corruptions and secrets, which can stay hidden no
where they are lesser. It’s a fantastic read. Nata- longer. The pacing kept me on the edge of my seat,
The latest from Cast of Wonders is A.W. Pri- sha King opens the October fiction with ‘‘The twisting as it moved relentlessly to a shattering and
handita’s ‘‘My Mother’s Voice and Shadow’’. In Aquarium of Lost Souls’’, an intense story in satisfying ending. The poetry of the issue is also
it, Marie has learned book-mending from her which a woman finds herself in ‘‘allspace,’’ outside great, including the F&SF debut ‘‘I, Magician’’
father but wants to learn more about the strange of the regular universe, inside a kind of aquarium by Julie Eliopoulos, which unfolds as a master
condition that leaves her mother mostly non- ship that is actually the last part of the Pacific directing their apprentice. There is a genera-
communicative and unable to fully interact with Ocean, sentient in the ways of water and forever tional feeling to the piece, knowledge passing from
the world around her. When her father sternly cut off from the vast stretches that were lost when teacher to student as people try to save what and
warns her away from magic as a means to bridging Earth was destroyed. Together the two deal with who can be saved. There is a grim underpinning
the gap between daughter and mother, though, it being caught between life and death, between to the poem, that time and circumstance might
leads Marie to question a lot of what she’s been reality and... something else. The woman is not erase what has been built over years and years,
taught, and she discovers some grim truths about in a good way, bleeding from a wound in her side the work of generations threatened by so many
the world and those closest to her. Prihandita uses and dying over and over again just to reappear in potential losses. The poem becomes a kind of spell
the mystery of Marie’s mother well, leading read- the ray tank. Apart, the two can do little enough, – one of survival and endurance – that reminds
ers down a rather unsettling avenue of investiga- but when they start working together they find us how important poets and poetry can be, even
tion as Marie grapples with what has been done that they are far from powerless, even in their (and perhaps especially) in the face of terrible

12 / LOCUS December 2024

circumstances. It’s a lovely read. The issues closes consciousnesses. Corporeal again, humans seek to obstacles both natural and human-made, and wild
with Phoenix Alexander’s ‘‘Slickerthin’’, which learn from the mistakes of their past – the violent magic capable of just about anything. And under
again brings the focus to an island community, colonialism that saw subjugation and attempted the rollicking adventure is a careful and touching
though here one that lives under the shadows (and successful) genocides around the world. story about a man trying to come to terms with
of harpies. These beings provide the people of The piece reaches for a kind of reset – a hope that his childhood and all the decisions he’s made since
the island with their own eggs for nourishment, this settlement will be different, building on the then. It’s a breathtaking experience.
which help the inhabitants grow big and strong. lessons hopefully learned after so much pain and
For Anaximander, though, the dream of living up loss. There is a respect given to life, whatever its October’s Diabolical Plots is centered on death,
to the body image he sees in his fathers and the rest varieties and differences, and a determination to paranoia, and violence. In D.S. Ravenhurst’s
of the community seems to take a fatal hit when do better that resonates and provides a powerful ‘‘Bone Talker, Bone Eater’’ the focus is on Suvi,
he cracks open an egg to find a slickerthin, a kind message. who can hear the voices of the dead through their
of stunted harpy he is supposed to care for and bones. It’s made her a pariah in her community,
love and raise. The story explores the complexity The October Fiyah is themed around spacefaring kept safe only through a bargain her mother made
of care, self-image, and the difficulty of giving love aunties, and it opens with a bang with Tatiana with a local witch – a bargain that hastened her
when a person doesn’t really love themself. It’s at Obey’s ‘‘Fuck Them Kids’’, which finds Jaz visit- mother’s death. Alone now, Suvi has to face the
times a difficult read, full of a familiar kind of ing her mom and sister (and her sister’s kids) for fear and paranoia of the villagers and their suspi-
angst and anxiety, and Alexander does a beautiful the spacer holiday celebrating the settlement of cion that because she can talk to bones she must
job of showing in Anaximander someone lost and Europa. It’s something Jaz’s mom participated in be a bone eater, a kind of monstrous force that
yearning so hard for something that seems always personally as a botanist on the first settlement preys on the living and the dead. But in banishing
out of reach. And the ending leaves readers to pick ship, and under that shadow Jaz has always felt Suvi to the catacombs beneath the village, what
up the pieces of what happens on the island, the somewhat uncomfortable, drawn much more to the mob might have done is seal their own fate, as
strangeness and the wonder and the love. It’s very space and the speed and thrill of flight rather than Suvi discovers the connection between the bone
much worth spending some time with. to the ground and the plants her mother loved. talkers and bone eaters. And the story’s trajectory
When she slips away from the family to take part suggests a rather tragic cycle of ignorance, des-
The latest from Kaleidotrope features Chaitanya in a race, she discovers that she’s accidentally taken peration, and violence that makes for a somewhat
Murali’s ‘‘Of Black Town’s Monster’’, a story a stowaway along, and finds that, even though the depressing but still lovely read.
that unfolds around Aditya, who has already lost domesticity of home life doesn’t really appeal to
a father to the British and who is told again and her, there are perks to keeping family close. It’s a Philip Gelatt and JT Petty anchor the October
again by his mother to stay out of trouble because joyous and exhilarating read, where Obey explores Lightspeed with ‘‘Sully the God’’, which imagines
there is a monster stalking the streets. That’s easier the complexities of families and conflicting per- Sully as the Elon Musk of magic, the man who
said than done when there is a hunger among sonalities while also embracing a definite need for stole the discovery from a dead colleague and
the colonizers for bodies to fuel their ambitions speed. It’s so fun! C.M. Lockhart also focuses on turned it into the most successful business the
and cruelties. When Aditya gets the attention family in ‘‘My Mother’s Daughter’’, which follows world has ever known. He’s become so rich that
of a powerful British officer things seem bleak Serena, whose mother has always been rather con- money has sort of lost meaning, and yet for all
indeed, but he also meets a young woman named trolling and cruel when she wants to be, cutting his wild success he’s still an incredibly fragile
Devyani who has been paying attention and has Serena down whenever she starts to be confident and deeply awful person. The story follows his
tracked the monster preying on their people to a and assert herself. In response, she’s built up introduction to the world of fairies, beings that
familiar and foreign source. Murali mixes action mental and emotional armor to help her cope, but can allow people to fly, but who also can kill those
and adventure, horror and hope in a thrilling when a close call in space grounds her on a distant who do not follow their rules. It’s another massive
experience that doesn’t shy away from the grim planet and she meets a young woman struggling success for Sully, but it also shows just how Sully
realities of colonialism and empire but still focuses with the same kind of treatment, it causes her to is his own worst enemy, incapable of approaching
on family, community, and resistance in a fun reevaluate. Lockhart does careful and fantastic problems rationally and instead veering wildly
way. H.L. Fullerton also contributes to the issue character work with Serena, capturing a moving between tantrums, bribes, and bad decisions in
with ‘‘Friends of the Fanilae’’, a complex look at and relatable picture of a woman trying her best to general. Gelatt and Petty keep their satire sharp
human-alien relations that focuses on... cosmetic please everyone else, and deeply tired because of it. and damning, showing the pitfalls of worshipping
surgery. Because in the story aliens, the fanilae, The story pushes her into confrontation with her- wealth and those good at accumulating it, who
have come to Earth in part as refugees, settling and self and her desires, and finds in them something are often the worst role models available. It’s a
trying their best to work and live in the human- warm and wonderful, strong and courageous and humorous and delightful story.
dominant world. It’s only through surgery that worthy of true love and respect.
they’re able to better adapt to the planet and be October also brought a new issue of Baffling,
able to have a higher quality of life healthwise. But Beneath Ceaseless Skies celebrated its birthday which opens with Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe’s
there’s also the social aspect, where fanilae who in October with a special double issue full of yearning ‘‘In Every Version of the Universe,
have surgery to appear more human see benefits adventur­e-fantasy goodness, including a new You Are Gone’’, which follows a cursed sentient
when it comes to getting jobs and being viewed novella from Chris Willrich, ‘‘To Hunt the Grey ship that had long carried Seun, a warrior with a
favorably. So the whole thing has become com- Lady’’. In it, Captain Bloodglow is chasing a for- cursed sword. The two seemed to complete each
plicated, with the very real medical advantages mer lover and rogue sentient ship in the hopes of other, a perfect match as they moved through the
intertwined with catering to human prejudice returning it to its sultan and being rewarded for universes, finding and destroying entire armies
and almost requiring these aliens to change their the trouble. Bloodglow, who throughout the story along the way. But when Seun tries to escape her
bodies in order to be successful, something that is coming to terms with his gender and history, curse for good and leaves the ship behind, the ship
parallels a lot of nonspeculative discriminations must make a series of increasingly dangerous must escape its own cage to follow after, seeking
that find people seeking voice coaching, skin moves to try and stay ahead of the competition the connection and fullness that made even the
lightening, and even more extreme measures to to be the one to bring the quarry back alive and violence they faced together something comfort-
try and assimilate. Fullerton shows insight and safe. With a magical sentient ship that might have ing and precious. Ajeigbe looks at the weight of the
care in approaching some very heavy themes, and some form of dementia and a mental link with curses the characters carry and the cost of trying
manages to be interesting and entertaining in a their entire crew, that’s much easier said than to break them, showing the lengths they will go
very memorable way. In the issue’s poetry, Angela done. The world building on display is impressive, to in order to be free and together and whole. It’s
Acosta’s ‘‘First Sojourn’’ is about movement and exploring the magic and history of this flat world a beautiful story. Tina Zhu also contributes to the
survival as humans seek a new home after Earth across which privateers and pirates sail the seas issue with ‘‘What Kind of Monster are You?’’ It
and after perhaps spending some time as uploaded made more dangerous by monstrous creatures,  p. 60

LOCUS December 2024 / 13

LOCUS LOOKS AT SHORT FICTION: A.C. WISE
khōréo 4.2
Clarkesworld 10/24
Analog 9-10/24

M
adeleine Vigneron’s ‘‘Human
Trials’’ in khōréo 4.2 is a painful
story full of lovely imagery about
holding on to hope in a hopeless situation.
The last ships have left Earth, and a plague
ravages the abandoned population left
behind. Rowan is part of a team of three
scientists trying to remove mass from living
things so they can travel at the speed of light
and escape. When Rowan gets sick, she vol-
unteers to be a human test subject. The story
does a nice job of considering what counts
as hope and how that can look different for
everyone, especially in a situation as bleak
as the end of the world. ‘‘Ace of Knives’’ by
E.A. Xiong centers on a woman living on Mars suspect that something may have set a lure and be ten’’ by Adam-Troy Castro, set on the moon
whose entire existence is training for and compet- fishing for them in turn. and featuring the author’s recurring characters,
ing in knife fights on the slim chance of earning In ‘‘The Face of God: A Documentary’’ by Minnie and Earl, who on the surface appear to
herself a better existence. Bodies can be rebuilt, Damián Neri, originally published in Spanish be a sweet, elderly Midwestern couple, but in
giving new meaning to the concept of death, and and translated into English by the author, God truth may be higher intelligences. Tish receives
calling for a distinction between fatal (brain death) has appeared in the sky over Earth, a radiant an invitation out of the blue from Minnie and
and lethal (body death). Like Vigneron’s story, it being with scales and fur and feathers who is Earl to visit them at their home, which recreates
touches on what hope might look like in a bleak slowly dying. As the title suggests, the story is life on Earth a little too perfectly. Once there, she
situation, while also exploring cycles of violence, framed as a documentary, with vignettes focused discovers they have some bad news for her, but
and the idea of surviving versus living. on various people impacted by God’s appearance they break it in the gentlest way possible, giving
‘‘High Performer’’ by Jason Pangilinan is a – from a man whose father was the first to spot her space to grieve, while also giving her hope.
fun story with a strong voice, which also touches God in the sky and died soon after, to scientists It’s a touching exploration of family, depression,
on the serious themes of identity and how people studying Him, to average individuals consider- loss, and healing. ‘‘Bad Cop, No Donut’’ by Ryan
conceive of themselves versus how others see them. ing what His appearance means for their faith Hunke is a story about two Philly cops, Frank and
Leon has been many things: a horse, a staple, a and their daily lives. ‘‘The Buried People’’ by Tony, who are on the hunt for illegal synths. Tony
rock, a song. Whenever anyone wishes for some- Nigel Brown is set in a new ice age. Alison is a has a kinder view of synths than Frank, and when
thing in his presence: he becomes it, which is how shepherd, acting as a local guide for the Laird’s they discover an array of suspicious machinery in
he meets Peace, a woman who while kicking a rock son and a scientist from Cambridge, who are the back of a bakery, he engages in a little creative
(Leon) wishes she could kick her laptop instead. on an expedition to uncover the buried people, interpretation in order to protect the bakery’s
After their strange meeting, Leon ponders what preserved in the snow by unknown or forgotten owner. The story has a fun voice, playing on ste-
control he has over his identity and destiny, and scientific means. The Laird’s son views the Buried reotypes about cops, but also exploring the more
Peace questions her identity as a Filipina who often People as animals who can be put to work, and serious subject matter of prejudice.
doesn’t feel ‘‘enough’’ compared to her co-worker the scientist sees them as curiosities to study, ‘‘The Compromise’’ by Tom R. Pike is framed
Marco, who constantly accuses her of being too but Alison sees them as people, putting her in as a meeting of unions and guilds debating The
Americanized. ‘‘Wayback’’ by Leslie What is a a difficult position made more complicated by Compromise, an agreement between human and
surreal story about a family on a road trip. Threads the secret she’s keeping from the others on the AI workers that is about to expire. Presenting
of generational trauma and guilt form an under- expedition. varying points of view, the story explores the
current running throughout. In ‘‘Mappamundi’’ ‘‘Fractal Karma’’ by Arula Ratnakar is a division of labor, whose work is valued, and how
by Angelisa Fontaine-Wood, Srdan studies a rare novella that feels like a spiritual successor to the work is valued, among other topics – all of which
medieval map purporting to show the lands of the author’s previous novella, ‘‘Axiom of Dreams’’, feel very relevant as AI becomes increasingly
dead and begins to lose his sense of self as he is published in Clarkesworld last year. Both explore prevalent in day-to-day life. In ‘‘The Fyootch’’ by
haunted by his past. the mind-altering possibilities of math when Wil McCarthy, Dr. Charlene Epson-MacGuyver
combined with drug use and technology. In this and her assistant Heidi Watson take it upon
‘‘Space O/pera’’ by Abby Nicole Lee in the case, the experimental drug is known as Klein- themselves to test a new transporter technol-
October issue of Clarkesworld centers on Clara, bottle, and the technology is a three-way headset ogy that destroys the original and replicates an
whose family dog, Daki, is sent into space. When that allows (or forces) users to share memories exact copy. After Charlene takes the first journey
footage of Daki’s shuttle exploding is released, and erases the boundaries between self and herself, she seems to develop a happier, but more
Clara is certain a cover-up is afoot and sets out to other. Leela signs up for an experimental study erratic and impulsive personality, and she and
investigate. ‘‘The Children of the Flame’’ by Fiona to earn money, but quickly begins to lose herself Heidi attempt to work out a series of tests to
Moore is another of the author’s stories featuring in her past. The story is effective in its explora- measure the change. ‘‘Discorporation’’ by Mar
Morag as a recurring central character. In this tion of memory, guilt, the idea of being truly Vincent centers on Liet, who needs a new spine.
instance, Morag is drawn into a conflict with the perceived, and how we frame the narrative of our Ingenia, the company which provided propri-
titular Children of the Flame, a nomadic group lives. ‘‘Midnight Patron’’ by Mike Robinson is etary implants to many in the City, Liet included,
whose worldviews about ownership, land, and a postapocalyptic story told from the perspec- has gone under after making too many false
resources fundamentally oppose the worldview tive of a Crow in a world where humans have all promises, leaving several citizens in a desperate
shared by Morag and her neighbors. ‘‘Fishing the perished. While scavenging bodies in a museum, situation. Liet agrees to a trade with a mysterious
Intergalactic Stream’’ by Louis Inglis Hall has a the Crow is inspired to create art of his own. stranger, learning after the fact his true purpose
subtle eeriness to it, along with some nice atmo- is to broadcast a message about Ingenia that can’t
spheric descriptions, as a fisher visits the desolate The October/November issue of Analog opens be ignored. ‘‘The Space In-Between’’ by Brenda
and seemingly empty moon of Nero and begins to with the novella ‘‘Minnie and Earl Have a Kit-  p. 61

14 / LOCUS December 2024

LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS: LIZ BOURKE
And the Mighty Will Fall, K.B. Wagers (Harper
Voyager 978-0-06-311524-8, $19.99, 464pp, tp)
November 2024.

The Book of Gold, Ruth Frances Long (Hod-

derscape 978-1-399-73157-7, £15.99, 340pp, tp)
November 2024.

Countess, Suzan Palumbo (ECW Press 978-

1770417571, $16.95, 168pp, tp) September 2024,

A
nd the Mighty Will Fall is K.B. Wagers’s
tenth and latest space opera novel, the
fourth book in the NeoG continuity after
2023’s The Ghosts of Trappist. And the Mighty
Will Fall brings the action back to our solar
system and the long-running conflict between
advocates for an independent Mars and the family are working frantically to get her assistance, pen-name Jessica Thorne. The Book of Gold is a
central governments of Earth, when the peaceful help rescue the hostages, and answer the questions historically inspired fantasy caper set in a version
transition of control over the Mars Orbital Sta- Who are the attackers? and What do they want? of Renaissance Europe that is strikingly different
tion (MOS) from the central Coalition of Human It turns out that what they want is bloody and from our own. Magic and hidden gods lurk in
Nations to local Martian administration goes destructive vengeance on both sides of this long- the corners: The Roman Empire has endured in
horribly, violently wrong. Wagers has described running conflict: to ensure that everyone else altered form as the Church Imperial, the August
this book as ‘‘Die Hard in space,’’ and they’re not suffers as they did. One the only god permitted, and in the city of
joking – but it’s also working with deeper themes And the Mighty Will Fall is very much a series Amberes (which may be either Antwerp or Am-
and a more serious view of the consequences of book when it comes to its characters, and is prob- sterdam, or a combination of the two), thief and
violence. ably best read in sequence. (If you haven’t read devotee of the god of thieves Lyta Cornwallis is
Commander Maxine Carmichael of the Near this series yet, you have the prospect of a lot of about to be entangled in the affairs of kings.
Earth Orbital Guard (essentially a Coast Guard enjoyable space opera fun.) Here, Max is separated Let me acknowledge up front that Long is a
that’s armed and authorised to use force, but trans- from the family that she’s worked so hard to build friend, so if I had not thoroughly enjoyed The
lated into space) has achieved success and found and forced into more and more extreme acts of Book of Gold, I would most likely be keeping
a family of choice in her chosen career. She’s also violence in order to save and preserve civilian a courteously discreet profile with my opinion.
a scion – less estranged than she used to be – of lives. This violence, combined with her isolation, (Ireland is a rather small country, after all.)
a very prominent family as well as being a sports takes a deep toll on her. In some respects, the Lyta’s younger brother Kit is an honest man who
star from the annual Boarding Games, which lasting effects that committing violence has on disapproves of Lyta’s career choices. He’s a printer,
makes her perfect to be the face of the handover her parallels the lasting trauma of the violence and he’s just been arrested for printing seditious
from the NeoG’s perspective. Along with Lieuten- between the Free Mars and Coalition of Human pamphlets: pamphlets that protest the excessive
ant Commander Saqib Vahid, one of the newest Governments. Everyone exposed to it has been taxation and penalties imposed by Amberes’s
members of her Interceptor crew, she’s trapped wounded by it, often in deep and lasting ways: just-superseded governor, the Duchess of Mon-
on the MOS when violent actors claiming to be ways that make them lash out, and want to hurt talbeau. The king is in town – Ferdinand, king of
from Free Mars take control of the station and others. The difference between Sylvia Moroz and Castille, Aragon, and the Brabantine lands, come
hold its inhabitants hostage. The NeoG admiral D’Arcy Montaglione and those of their comrades to power in the wake of war – and it’s the king’s
commanding is taken captive, but manages to give who want to move on from the cycle of violence, justice that will define Kit’s fate. Lyta doesn’t have
Max the station’s command codes first. Now Max and the attackers aboard the MOS, is that they a plan, exactly, just a panicked hope to get into the
is the only one aboard the MOS free to act. Alone, want to build a world where it is possible for king’s presence and beg, plead, or bargain for her
hunted, afraid for the hostages, and having to kill everyone to heal, rather than punish the one that brother’s life and freedom.
just to survive, she has to get to the bottom of who made them hurt. Sylvian Chant was Lyta’s lover, once, before she
the attackers are and what they really want before In its meditations on violence, seen through the rescued Kit from prison and not him. (Before
they can take full control of the station lens of its characters, And the Mighty Will Fall she married a much older man for safety, only
Sylvia Moroz is the leader of Free Mars. She’s reminds me of the tail end of the violent political to see him disappear trying to rob the Duchess.)
welcomed the transfer of the orbital station into struggle in Northern Ireland that I grew up just Conscripted into the king’s army, he rose through
local control as a step in the right direction – not across the border from, whose echoes linger in the ranks over the years to become a captain,
enough, but meaningful nonetheless. She’s not the cross-border institutions of the Republic and and now a bodyguard to the king. But he still
involved in whatever is going on with the station, the effort that goes, now, into keeping sectarian recognises Lyta instantly when she bursts into
but someone claiming to be from the NeoG just violence at the level of words. And the Mighty the king’s presence.
tried to kill her. She doesn’t believe it was them. Will Fall feels painfully timely this year, and pain- It turns out that the king has a use for Lyta’s
This is some other actor, trying to set the people fully optimistic, about the fruits of long-running particular skills. The Duchess of Montalbeau is
finally making meaningful steps towards lasting violent struggles. in possession of a book, the titular Book of Gold.
peace at each other’s throats once more. She’s not It’s a damn fine science fiction action-adventure The king – or perhaps his queen, Annika – wants
opposed to fighting, or to violence, but it has to novel, nail-bitingly tense, with excellent character this book, but the Duchess is sufficiently powerful
have a point. With the attackers on the station development, some stunning twists, and a bedrock that he cannot simply seize it. But a thief to steal
trying to frame her, and people trying to kill her, sense that we save each other through kindness. the book, and a printer to print it and distribute
she reaches out to the NeoG and to Commander It’s also brilliantly queer-normative. I enjoyed it it widely, not just taking it from the Duchess but
D’Arcy Montaglione (whom series readers may a great deal, as I have done with everything that humiliating her in the process? That would suit
remember from The Ghosts of Trappist has his- K.B. Wagers has written so far. him nicely.
tory with Free Mars) to work together to figure There’s not much Lyta wouldn’t do to keep Kit
out what’s going on and to stop terrorist attacks Irish writer Ruth Frances Long has been pub- safe. Though Kit’s not thrilled at being roped into
on the ground. lishing quite prolifically in recent years, though Lyta’s criminal undertakings, especially when the
Meanwhile Jenks and the rest of Max’s chosen primarily YA and romantic fantasy under her  p. 61

LOCUS December 2024 / 15

LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS: GARY K. WOLFE
Death of the Author, Nnedi Okorafor (Morrow
978-0-06-344578-9, $30.00, 448pp, hc) January
2025.

We Lived on the Horizon, Erika Swyler (Atria

978-6680-4959-4, $28.99, 336pp, hc) January
2025.

At the Fount of Creation, Tobi Ogundiran

(Tordotcom 978-1-250-90803-2, $21.99, 224pp,
hc) January 2025.

F
or a certain generation of academics,
‘‘the death of the author’’ is the title
of an influential 1967 essay by Roland
Barthes arguing against interpreting literature
in terms of the author’s identity or psychology.
Nnedi Okorafor’s Death of the Author makes awards and leads to multimillion-dollar deals, but of the role of storytelling in defining who
a brief and oblique reference to this in an early including a blockbuster movie, instantly mak- and what we are.
chapter in which the protagonist, Zelu Ony- ing Zelu into an international celebrity. It even For a writer whose reputation has been built
enezi-Oyedele, an adjunct professor teaching leads to an invitation to travel into space from largely on the startling fertility of her imagi-
a creative writing class, has the phrase thrown a multibillionaire industrialist who sounds nation, Okorafor demonstrates an impressive
back at her by a surly student, but the phrase like a benign Elon Musk, if such a thing is even capacity for the mundane as well. Any number
eventually takes on a number of additional imaginable anymore. But the pitfalls of literary of writers I know have had to deal with parents
meanings, one of which only becomes clear celebrity soon follow: She hates the movie for and siblings for whom even the greatest suc-
only as an ingenious metafictional twist very whitewashing her African setting and character cesses can be greeted as disappointments or
late in the novel. Perhaps the most important names; she’s taunted by an ambush interviewer questionable decisions. At a family gathering,
of these meanings, though, is that it may serve into making statements that get her cancelled ‘‘Everyone was talking about the latest drama at
as a caution for readers to avoid the temptation in a social media pile-on; she faces impatience Tolu’s law firm or the football game Chinyere’s
of resorting to easy autobiographical readings from agents and editors, and even abuse from twelve-year-old son, Emeka, was playing in. She
of what has been widely publicized as Okora- fans, when the sequel doesn’t show up as soon was having amazing experiences, but no one in
for’s first mainstream novel (though there’s a as they’d like (almost certainly reflecting the her family wanted to hear about them.’’ Two of
fair bit of SF in it), and one that may seem to experience of Okorafor’s friend George R.R. the novel’s most memorable sequences are the
invite comparisons to other recent novels about Martin). And through all this she has to navi- death of Zelu’s father and an ill-advised deci-
novelists such as R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface or gate the emotional turbulence of a family that sion to visit the father’s native village in Nigeria
Percival Everett’s Erasure (the source of the seems skeptical of almost everything she ac- despite security concerns (which leads to the
film American Fiction). Certainly, readers fa- complishes, including new robotic prostheses novel’s most harrowing action sequence). Both
miliar with Okorafor’s career or her TED talk that will finally enable her to walk. Even her highlight the challenges not only of negotiating
and book Broken Places & Outer Spaces can most trusted friend and lover, a tech entrepre- high-achieving families (Zelu’s older sister is a
spot a few parallels: Zelu is also an American- neur from South Africa, is ambivalent. chief of surgery, her brother a successful lawyer,
born daughter of Nigerian immigrants living Although the main action of the novel is set her father’s siblings all have terminal degrees,
in the Chicago area; she also has a complicated in a very lightly SFnal near future – Waymo- and her mother insists they are all Yoruba roy-
relationship with Nigeria itself and family she like autonomous vehicles ferry Zelu around alty), but of navigating the dual identities of Ni-
visits there; she teaches creative writing in a Chicago; those new prostheses amount to a gerian Americans, or Naijamericans – a theme
university and becomes a successful SF writer; sophisticated, computer-mediated exoskeleton which Okorafor has explored before, notably in
and her painful recovery from a childhood – we also get substantial excerpts from the her Akata Witch series of novels. In the best of
accident that left her paraplegic is so convinc- novel-within-a-novel Rusted Robots, which Okorafor’s earlier work, the epic imagination
ingly described that it may reflect the author’s revisits the pretty venerable SF theme of robots which helped earn her reputation was grounded
own experience with scoliosis, mobility, and trying to figure out what extinct humans were by unsentimental insight into the complexities
balance issues. like and what their own purpose might now be and conflicts of characters faced with uninvited
But so what? Zelu is entirely her own charac- (some fairly famous stories by Lester del Rey, challenges and opportunities, and with Death
ter, often impulsive and not always sympathetic, Isaac Asimov, and Brian W. Aldiss come to of the Author those complexities prove just as
and her issues with family, identity, and fame mind). In fact, those excerpts, narrated by an challenging in our own world. While the result
are her own as well – which is especially signifi- inquisitive robot named Ankara, amount to probably isn’t what many Okorafor readers were
cant, since negotiating the hazards of family life more than a fifth of Death of the Author. It’s expecting, it may be one of her most revealing,
and cultural heritage is one of the major engines always risky to actually show us a novel once deeply felt, and insightful novels to date.
of the plot, and the most compelling. We first you’ve described it as a massively popular, uni-
meet Zelu at her sister’s wedding in Tobago, versally praised masterpiece, and indeed it’s a Despite what Robert Frost may have thought, a
where her celebratory mood is dashed by the bit hard to swallow the notion that a story with lot of SFF writers really do love a wall. Walled
double whammy of discovering that she’s been almost no human characters (the last human and isolated cities, redoubts, or keeps (to
fired from her adjunct teaching job and that her shows up only briefly), describing an incipient use the term favored by The Science Fiction
ambitious literary novel – she mentions she’d war between humanoid robots called Humes Encyclopedia) have proved useful to SFF for
once wanted to write like Jamaica Kincaid – has and the disembodied Ghosts, could become that exploring everything from overpopulation to
been rejected by just about every publisher. In big a sensation (but then, Avatar?). Nor is there alien invasions to environmental catastrophe to
frustration, she begins work on a posthuman much explanation of any prior interest in SF that those pesky tech overlords, and they seem to be
SF epic called Rusted Robots, which eventu- leads Zelu to try her hand at it. But Ankara’s having something of a resurgence lately; recent
ally becomes an unlikely fever-dream of both narrative provides a valuable counterpoint to examples include Samantha Mills’s The Wings
literary and commercial success: a massive Zelu’s, reflecting the importance not only of Upon Her Back, Tobias Buckell’s A Stranger
bestseller which gains mainstream literary building family or family-like relationships, in the Citadel, and, perhaps most ambitiously,

16 / LOCUS December 2024

Gautam Bhatia’s duology The Wall and The Neren is outraged, since she’s a Body Martyr, entire world, was false. Except some of what
Horizon. As if in recognition of the bunker who essentially makes her living by donating they revealed wasn’t exactly true, either, and by
mentality of this tradition, Erika Swyler, in We body parts to the more privileged, and whose the end Ashâke learned that, while the orisha
Lived on the Horizon, names her city Bulwark career is thus derailed by the alterations in her weren’t quite extinct, they were endangered by
– ‘‘a walled city built to protect and preserve the body caused by the prosthesis. a rather terrifying group of ‘‘godkillers’’ led by
people who managed to survive a series of great Obviously, there are a lot of themes that Swy- a powerful figure called only the Teacher, whose
cataclysms.’’ I have to confess that Swyler is not ler wants to pack into what is in many ways an most ominous enforcer, Yaruddin, could ‘‘eat’’
an author I was familiar with, despite specula- almost claustrophobic narrative (most of the people by simply pushing his way into their bod-
tive elements in her earlier novels The Book of first third of the book takes place entirely in ies and taking over. And Ashâke herself had a
Speculation (2015) and Light from Other Stars Enita’s home and laboratory): The benefits and key role to play in saving the orisha, becoming
(2019), and despite her mention of Ursula K. Le dangers of an altruism-based economy and an the ‘‘guardian of the gods’’ that gives the series
Guin, Octavia Butler, and Margaret Atwood AI-managed society, the shift in consciousness its subtitle. The rising action, it turns out, has
in the acknowledgments of the new novel. She when a household AI becomes an embodied hardly begun.
seems to belong to that loosely defined group robot, the ethical responsibilities of a scientist Ashâke is chosen to carry several of the
of SF-adjacent literary writers who are seldom with a unique skill set, the inevitable class ten- orisha inside her mind, though each of them
marketed as SF and seldom show up on awards sions that echo older SF going all the way back might manifest as separate beings from time
ballots (though Emily St. John Mandel did win to Metropolis (with which the novel shares more to time. And it turns out they’re terrible back-
a Clarke for Station Eleven), but who are never- DNA than the more obvious Frankenstein). seat drivers, each with their own agenda: Oya,
theless in dialogue with familiar SF traditions. While not all these provocative notions, to me, the goddess of winds and rain; Arewa, god
(Her acknowledgments also mention Sequoia are seamlessly embedded into a narrative that of beauty and debauchery; Ogun, lord of war
Nagamatsu, Matt Bell, and Brenda Peynado, at times seems to shift focus – that murder mys- and metalworking; the shrewd and calculating
who ‘‘helped me feel like this is a space where tery early in the story is nearly sidelined until Yemoja, the spirit of waters, who makes herself
I belong.’’) another murder shows up – what finally brings the default leader. The fact that Eshu, the god
This may be one reason that Swyler is less in- the novel together are the insightfully drawn of roads and crossroads, is not among these
terested in the mysteries of the world outside the portraits of Enita – a rare elderly protagonist onboard gods becomes a significant plot point
city, or exactly what those ‘‘great cataclysms’’ too seldom seen in SF – her friend Helen, the later on. As Ashâke leads them on a quest to find
were, than on the nature of the society that has idealistic if troubled Body Martyr Neren, and missing griots – and some sort of safe harbor
evolved within Bulwark. The descendants of the perhaps most impressively of all, the AI-turned- – they find themselves pursued by an army of
founders of the city have created an elite, privi- robot Nix. As SF, at least for me, We Lived on godkillers, who have managed to recruit much
leged class called ‘‘Saints,’’ who enjoy almost the Horizon may have a few ragged loose ends, of the population to their side, with the quite
limitless credits in an economy that depends but as an exploration of character and class in a reasonable argument that the orisha are out
on ‘‘societal debt’’ as determined at birth by a problematical society, it’s both thoughtful and for themselves, treating humans more or less
bureaucratic class of Assessors. Those who are gracefully presented. as disposable chattel. In a parallel backstory,
not Saints may spend their entire lives trying to we learn of the origins of the Teacher himself,
earn back their life debt through acts of altru- Writers of duologies aren’t doing any favors for and the (again, quite understandable) reasons
ism or public service. Still, Bulwark is hardly an book reviewers. With a trilogy, we can blather for his violent hostility to the orisha.
off-the-shelf dystopia; rates of infant mortality, on about middle-book syndrome and three-act But the larger backstory takes us all the way
starvation, stress-related illness, environmental structures; with an ongoing series, we can spec- back to the destruction of the legendary city
hazards, and various other measures suggest a ulate about metanarratives or simply rate each Ile-Ife by the supreme god Shango and to the
stable and largely peaceful society. But fairly new volume as though it were the latest album Fount of Creation of the title, expanding the tale
early on, we begin to see cracks in the system: from a familiar band, but a duology somehow to the full trilogy-worthy epic scope that some
One of the Saints is violently murdered in his seems to offer too much and too little at the same of those readers of In the Shadow of the Fall
home, and the citywide AI, named Parallax – time. Plus, it’s always awkward to discuss a sec- seemed to hope for. But Ogundiran seems less
essentially a city manager, in contact with all the ond volume without revealing key points about interested in epic-for-epic’s-sake worldbuilding
various house AIs in the city – begins to exhibit the first. Several reviewers of Tobi Ogundiran’s than in exploring the real moral conundrums of
mysterious dropouts, effectively blocking efforts In the Shadow of the Fall (reviewed here last the very ideas of godhood, belief, and responsi-
to find out what’s really going on. June) noted that so much was packed into its bility. While the Teacher at first seems to share
But again, the inevitable cracks in a flawed relatively short but fast-moving narrative that the classic villainous aspects of a Saruman or
utopia are not really what Swyler is most inter- it might well have become a multivolume epic, a Voldemort, his arguments about the indif-
ested in with We Lived on the Horizon. Her involving everything from Chosen One tales ference and petulance of the orisha can’t easily
protagonist, Saint Enita Maloris, is the city’s to myths of creation, exiled gods, monstrous be dismissed, especially when we learn more
only maker of biomechanical prostheses (which body-snatchers, and apocalyptic visions. Oth- about his motivations. And Ashâke, constantly
to me seems pretty unlikely for a technologically ers might have suspected that, given its open- confronting her own limitations while discover-
advanced, AI-driven society, but there’s a plot ended but not-quite-cliffhanger ending, it might ing her true powers, finds herself trapped in the
point to come), and as she approaches seventy, simply represent the rising action of a classical middle, at best a reluctant hero. Essentially, At
she’s growing concerned that her valuable skills structure of which the second volume would the Fount of Creation is a terrific moral fable,
may be lost when she dies. She decides to train simply be the falling action. So which might we undergirded by Yoruba traditions and dressed
her house AI, Nix, in her methods, and uses her expect of the concluding volume, At the Fount up with some spectacular fireworks that seem
prosthetic techniques to grow an independent of Creation? to invite CGI treatment (monstrous transforma-
robot body for him. Meanwhile, her closest Well, Ogundiran outsmarted us. At the usual tions, sudden incinerations, a giant tree erupt-
friend and sometime lover, Saint Helen, is risk of giving away bits of that first volume, ing from the ground, maybe a few too many of
expressing concern that the Saints may be in we were introduced to a young acolyte named those now-familiar bright lights emitting from
danger, given that recent murder. To complicate Ashâke who, frustrated at having failed to win people’s orifices). But for all his violent spectacle
matters even further, a young couple shows a sort of internship with one of the Yoruba gods and mythic scaffolding, Ogundiran never loses
up at Enita’s door, carrying a severely injured called orisha, took matters into her own hands, focus on his central concerns of flawed charac-
woman named Neren and insisting that Enita got herself exiled from her religious community, ters making difficult choices, and he never slows
treat her, since for vague reasons a hospital is and found a new community of griots and exiles down the action for even a minute.
out of the question. Enita provides her with a who revealed to her that most of what she’d –Gary K. Wolfe 
prosthesis that saves her leg, only to learn that learned about the orisha, not to mention her

LOCUS December 2024 / 17

LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS: COLLEEN MONDOR

Our Wicked Histories, Amy Goldsmith (Dela- master. The group’s history is revealed through a ones at the dinner keeping secrets.
corte Press 978-0-583-70395-3, $19.99, 384pp, hc) series of flashbacks, Meg’s complicated relationship There are four separate family units at the
July 2024. Cover by Marcela Bolivar. with Seb, Lottie’s twin brother, is slowly revealed manor, with Ruby, Wren, and their pretend grand-
and just what went down at that dance which blew mother comprising one small group. Overall,
The Lies We Conjure, Sarah Henning (Tor Teen up her life proves to be a catalyst not only for ev- three generations are represented at the dinner,
978-1-259-84106-3, $19.99, 400pp, hc) September erything wrong in the past, but all the dangers of with the oldest nearly 100 and a coterie of teens
2024. the present. Through a ton of passive-aggressive (eight of them with Ruby and Wren) making up
(and outright hostile) interactions through the the younger generation. The murder takes place
The Spellshop, Sarah Beth Durst (Bramble 978-1- weekend, Meg begins to question just how much early on, and through the use of a magical curse
250-33397-1, $29.88, 384pp, hc) July 2024. of herself she is willing to sacrifice, to stay in a everyone (maybe) finds themselves trapped in a
school that is diminishing her more by the minute. version of the locked-room scenario. (In this case
Castle of the Cursed, Romina Garber (Wednesday (Readers will answer this question ahead of Meg, it is a locked estate.) Henning does an excellent
Books 978-1-250-86389-8, $21.00, 304pp, hc) but seeing her get there is worth the wait.) All of job at giving all of the characters individual voices
July 2024. that would be tough enough, but there are also the and collectively, they are an outrageous bunch

T
suspicious local residents, the possible ghost, the who admirably meet the publisher’s comparisons
he heroine of Amy Goldsmith’s Our Wicked tragic accident years earlier (was it an accident?) to Knives Out and Clue. The obvious mystery is
Histories is Meg, a scholarship student and that problematic banshee. (It’s not always the to figure out who committed the murder, but
at an exclusive private art school. In the wind when you hear someone screaming!) Should there is also a charge from beyond the grave to
opening pages she is still reeling from an episode Meg just put on her Halloween costume and smile find some historic artifacts, a very unexpected
a few months earlier when, at a school dance, she through the nightmare, or is it time to accept that reading of the will, and the exploration of a lot of
made a stupid drunken mistake that obliterated things are not okay at Wren Hall? (Things are really conflicting motivations. Ruby and Wren have to
her social life (she has lost all of her friends) and not okay. Not. At. All.) Settle in, get comfortable, keep up the pretense of their false identities while
left her facing expulsion if she can’t get her victim and plan for a very late night, as Our Wicked also trying to figure out what is really going on
to intercede with school administration. Greyscott Histories is a tough title to put down. Goldsmith with this very unhappy family. (As in, ‘‘decades
is the dream for Meg and her mother, the place she knows exactly what she is doing with the thrills ago some of them killed each other off and their
simply cannot lose, and whatever she has to do to and the chills, and I couldn’t get enough of Meg’s descendants have just been pretending they all
stay there, whatever the humiliation or punish- very scary Irish weekend. get along’’ sort of unhappy.) Can the girls keep it
ment she must receive, well, Meg is prepared to do together with murderous magic breathing down
it. When her very rich, very popular, former best As The Lies We Conjure opens, sisters Ruby and their necks? That tension is what kept me turning
friend Lottie invites her to a Halloween weekend Wren are finishing up a summer stint working at pages, especially after body #2 was discovered.
at her family’s vacation home, Wren Hall, it seems a local Renaissance Fair when they get an offer Henning sets a pitch-perfect tone with The Lies
like the answer to Meg’s prayers. Everyone she that impetuous Wren cannot pass up. A customer We Conjure, moving the plot with ease through
needs to get on her side will be there including, offers them each $2,000 to attend a family dinner a series of exciting challenges, some shocking
most crucially, Laure, the girl she hurt at the dance. at the local landmark mansion and pretend to be moments of drama, and a healthy amount of
In one weekend, Meg can make all the necessary her grandchildren. Ruby, an avid mystery reader, humor. (The bickering between Ruby and Wren is
apologies and get everyone back on her side. But is suspicious of an offer that sounds too good to delightful.) The point of view shifts between Ruby
Wren Hall, in an isolated part of rural Ireland, is not be true but Wren, who fancies herself an actress, and fellow teen Auden Hegemony, which provides
as Lottie described, and no one else knew Meg was can’t resist the cash or the excitement. Less than readers with both the outsider and insider perspec-
coming or wants her there. Collectively, the other a week later, after a quick study of basic family tive. The action is compressed over a couple of
teens are annoyed and spoiled, and they happily facts, they are ready to pass themselves off as the days as the clock ticks relentlessly for the curse,
belittle Meg at every turn. If this is her penance, it’s distant relations. Hegemony Manor turns out to and all the teens begin to realize that they must
going to be a long, brutal weekend. Then she learns be as awesome as expected, their hosts are rich, work together to beat it. (This cooperation is a
about the banshee and Wren Hall’s haunted past, beautiful and a tad bit overwhelming, there are lot tougher than you might think.) There is some
and someone gets hurt. Suddenly, Meg must face a some cute boys and the food is good, so it should romance mixed into the narrative as well, although
killer who seems determined to pick them off one be a fabulous evening, right? But then there’s a it does not disrupt the adventure. As a compelling
at a time with her as a particular target. murder and the sisters learn that magic is in the magical mystery, The Lies We Conjure is tough
Oh, this book is fun! From the opening pages air in more ways than one. Their mission is no to beat and should bring Henning a lot of fans.
with a possible banhsee’s scream (please refer to longer about playing pretend but finding a way to
Ray Bradbury’s short story of that name if you survive. If you think you can predict where this Author Sarah Beth Durst notes in her Acknowl-
need to learn more about banshee lore), to Meg’s plot is going, let me assure you that author Sarah edgements to The Spellshop that writing her novel
slow exposure to one unsettling development after Henning has a ton of surprises in store starting was sparked by hot chocolate and raspberry jam
another, Goldsmith ratchets up the tension like a with the fact that Ruby and Wren are not the only  p. 62

18 / LOCUS December 2024

LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS: IAN MOND
Interstellar MegaChef, Lavanya Lakshminarayan
(Solaris 978-1-83786-233-7, $16.99, 400pp, tp)
November 2024.

Remember You Will Die, Eden Robins (Source-

books Landmark 978-1-72825-603-0, $16.99,
336pp, tp) October 2024.

The Way, Cary Groner (Spiegel & Grau 978-1-

95411-842-3, $29.00, 304pp, hc) December 2024.

I
’ve always loved a good cooking show. Back in
the day, it was Top Chef (where a contestant
always undercooked the chicken) and Great
British Menu (where every pudding had to include
rhubarb). Now, I’m obsessed with Uncle Roger’s
YouTube channel. His takedown of Jamie Oliver’s
Egg Fried Rice, with 28 million views and over one with a Homer Simpson-style doughnut). Lak- hatred toward Saras boils over late in the novel:
million likes, is legendary. Competition cooking, shminarayan avoids one of the pitfalls of far- ‘‘For two millennia, we have been humanity’s hope
but also the experience and cultural significance of future fiction – front-loading the narrative with and salvation. We have delivered civilisation into a
preparing and tasting food, is central to Lavanya exposition – by commencing each chapter with new era. We. Primians. Not. You.’’ The link back to
Lakshminarayan’s excellent new novel Interstellar an excerpt from an article or textbook briefly our contemporary moment – but also the erasure
MegaChef, the first in a series and the follow-up describing Primian cuisine or the dos and don’ts of minority beliefs and customs by generations of
to her superb Clarke Award-nominated debut of Nakshatran society. It also helps that Saras is cultural colonialism – is hard to ignore. It’s a dark
The Ten Percent Thief. More than just a foodie’s a fish out of water, although one who has more edge to a book that is enormously fun to read.
delight – I promise it will make your stomach than a basic grounding in Primian culture, having
grumble – Interstellar Megachef is an intelligent been saturated by their media. What Saras is not It has been another excellent year for uncon-
dissection of utopian societies and the insidious expecting, what comes as a shock, is the intense ventional narratives. There’s Rakesfall by Vajra
nature of cultural imperialism. prejudice she experiences as an Earthling, starting Chandrasekera, which I called ‘‘a full-frontal
Let’s start with the mise en place. The novel with her horrifically embarrassing appearance on deconstruction of narrative and genre’’; there’s
begins with ‘‘A Brief History of the Nakshatrans’’ the titular game show. Without all that chunky Rita Bullwinkel’s magnificent Headshot, a story
(Nakshatra is the Hindu and Buddhist term exposition, our understanding of Primus and their structured around the intense, chaotic and bal-
that refers to the 27 constellations that shape a heightened sense of superiority unfolds gradually, letic bouts of a junior girl’s boxing tournament;
person’s life). Founded in 2325, the Nakshatran leaving more space for the characters – including and there are the 1,281 F-bombs that punctuate
Programme and its corresponding charter aim to the peripheral cast, like Saras’s passionate robotic the ‘‘Lowry section’’ of Jeff VanderMeer’s eye-
‘‘reinvent human culture across the Universe... of assistant Kili – to develop and evolve. And while opening Southern Reach prequel, Absolution.
new futures amidst the stars.’’ The movement is a Serenity Ko and Saras’s growing attraction to each Eden Robins’s new book, with its foreboding title,
response to the dissolution of all nation-states on other comes as no surprise, we’re more invested Remember You Will Die, might be my favourite of
Earth, replaced by warring Protectorates fighting in their relationship because we know them as this year’s bunch, told almost exclusively through
over dwindling resources. Fifty years later, the people – flaws and all. obituaries. I wasn’t so much struck by Robins’s
first Nakshatran-led starship lands on the planet A potential criticism of Interstellar MegaChef’s boldness of telling a story in this manner – though
Primus, a new home for humanity, or at least those worldbuilding is that there’s been little progress it is impressive – but rather the deft, graceful way
lucky enough to escape Earth. socially or even technologically after two millen- she juggles several themes and genres, whether
Skip two millennia, and we arrive at the main nia. Yes, flowmetal – a biotech compound that’s they be artificial intelligence, motherhood, time
course. Saraswati Kaveri has fled Earth – where her constantly shifting ‘‘in an unending wave’’ as to travel, Jewish mysticism, or outsider art.
family ruthlessly governs the Daxina Protectorate leave a minimal impact on the surrounding ecol- In one sense, the plot is straightforward – at least
– for Primus, where she’s been invited to compete ogy – is a cool idea, but the immersive reality and for your average science fiction fan. Peregrine, an
on the hugely popular reality show Interstellar the advancements involved in food preparation artificial intelligence ported into the facsimile of
MegaChef. It’s a provocative move on the part of could as easily be a product of the 24th, rather a human body, is searching through several cen-
the producers, given that Earthlings are viewed as than 44th century. The same goes for the Prim- turies of obituaries, trying to come to terms with
violent barbarians who cook with flame and use ians, who might pretend to be cultivated and the death of her human daughter. In another sense,
whole foods. This is in contrast to the ultrarefined sophisticated but are burdened by the same basic the novel is a rabbit warren of branching tunnels,
techniques of the Primians, who, in line with their fears and anxieties we all experience. But this lack tangents and cul-de-sacs. It starts with a news
belief in ‘‘treading lightly’’ and respecting a planet’s of development is precisely the point of the novel. article published on November 6, 2102, reporting
ecology, extract the essence of an ingredient – its Much like Adam Roberts in his latest book, Lake the drowning of a teenage girl. ‘‘The girl allegedly
ras. Saras is aware of this, but as a critically ac- of Darkness, Lakshminarayan argues that utopias folded a piece of paper into the shape of an airplane
claimed chef back on Earth, she believes she can are inherently reactionary, adverse to change, and threw it toward shore, then dove into the river,
wow the judges with her old-fashioned methods. and incapable of self-reflection. They can also be never to resurface.’’ The article is followed by the
She couldn’t be more wrong. Running parallel to evangelical. The Primians clearly believe that their etymology of the word ‘‘poppy’’ – the name of Per-
Saras’s story is that of Serenity Ko, the abrasive, way of life, food, art, and music is perfection. We egrine’s daughter and the identity of the drowned
high-flying, arrogant developer of the hugely pop- see this play out in the devious machinations of teenager. The term is defined, the origin explained
ular SoundScape (a highly immersive sim). After Optimism Mahd’vi – the Secretary for Culture and then used in a sentence. These etymologies –
an incident at a bar – more like a riot – she’s forced – whose plan to celebrate two millennia of Prim- of words like ‘‘collapse,’’ ‘‘legacy,’’ and ‘‘grief ’’ – are
to take leave. Pissed off, Ko starts ruminating on a ian society hides a nefarious agenda to further peppered throughout the narrative, providing a
new idea, a sim that will completely revolutionise spread their influence across the galaxy. But their glimpse of Peregrine’s state of mind, such as when
the experience of tasting food. It’s a bold project incapacity to evolve, change, or accept the validity she looks up the etymology of ‘‘hide’’ and puts it
that will see her path intersect with that of Saras. of other traditions and beliefs is best expressed by into a sentence. ‘‘Did Poppy keep pieces of herself
Interstellar MegaChef is a delight to read Good Cheer Chaangte (yes, there’s a deep irony hidden from me? Parts of her an unknown un-
(you’d expect no less from a novel emblazoned to the Primian ‘‘happy happy’’ prefixes), whose  p. 63

LOCUS December 2024 / 19

LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS: ALEX BROWN

Compound Fracture, Andrew Joseph White but also finally shatter the chains binding them to izing and fitting in, but are actually autistic. Maybe
(Peachtree Teen 978-1-68263-612-1, $19.99, 384pp, the oppressive system the Davies lord over. But as they’re not broken when it comes to relationships,
hc) September 2024. Miles soon learns, revolution is not a solitary act. but are really just asexual or aromantic. Maybe
It must be done with a coalition; it must be done they’re not trapped in an endless cycle of poverty
Rest in Peaches, Alex Brown (Page Street YA 979- in community. and violence, but able to strive toward something
8-89003-070-2, $18.99, 336pp, hc) October 2024. Compound Fracture is marketed as a para- more communal. If kids have options, they won’t
normal thriller, but to me it read like a horror accept the pittance the bigots are offering. Compli-
Spells to Forget Us, Aislinn Brophy (Putnam 978- novel. The murders are described in lurid detail ance’s worst enemy is a kid who is brave enough to
15586-1331-7, $20.99, 432pp, hc) September 2024. so visceral that White makes you almost smell say, ‘‘I don’t want this, I want that instead.’’
the tang of blood. At one point, he lingers on the
A Vile Season, David Ferraro (Page Street YA 979- sound of a tooth hitting the floor after falling out Get ready for another great young adult horror
8-89003-072-6, $18.99, 400pp, hc) October 2024. of the mouth of someone who was just shot, then comedy with Rest in Peaches by Alex Brown

T
lingers on the mangled face of said victim. People (not me!). Quinn is about to do the biggest, most
eens fighting against the forces of empire are burned alive, beaten, gutted, stabbed, and shot. important thing she’s ever done in her whole 17
or capitalism is a common theme in young It’s intense, to say the least. I alternated between years of life. At this year’s Homecoming game, she
adult fiction. Oftentimes, the teen protago- the audiobook and print book, largely because will don a brand new Peaches the Parrot mascot
nist has a couple sidekicks and a love interest or sometimes the audio got too much for me (I’m a costume and entertain a huge crowd of spectators
two who help them wage battle, but it’s up to our lightweight when it comes to horror). (and college recruiters). She’s been the mascot for
hero to defeat the Big Bad and save the day. The Coincidentally, I read Compound Fracture and a few years now, but no one knows it’s her under
empire or corporation is defeated and all is well. August Clarke’s new second world fantasy Metal all that felt. Until, that is, when her Homecoming
However, these books often just replace one all- from Heaven back-to-back. These books by two performance is ruined by sabotage. Her identity
powerful ruler with another. The revolutions are powerful trans authors make a great double feature, is exposed, her reputation is ruined, and the real
bloody, but it’s all at a distance, with the exception with both tackling the same themes of capitalism, Peaches the Parrot is birdnapped by an unknown
of one sidekick who usually gets killed to give empire, and socialist revolutions and coming to assailant.
emotional weight to the protagonist’s journey. We similar conclusions on building communities Tessa, meanwhile, wants nothing more than to
don’t see what it’s like to be a regular person caught and coalitions and understanding that there are figure out what she actually wants. Her boyfriend,
in the machinery, only the chosen ones who have many small battles to fight over years rather than perfect, handsome Emerson, seems to want more
risen above such drudgery. Andrew Joseph White’s one big climactic war. Both write about queer and out of their relationship than she’s willing to give,
Compound Fracture is a refutation of those tropes. trans characters breaking free of the social rules of and her mom, perfect, beautiful Camille, has a
For more than a century, the Abernathys have the majority, whether it be rejecting cisheteronor- relentless drive for success Tessa never manages
been stirring up trouble in the small mining town mativity or centering neurodiversity. Where they to meet. When people connected to Quinn and
of Twist Creek, West Virginia. Good trouble if you differ really is their audience. Clarke has written Tessa wind up murdered, all eyes turn to the two
ask them – all they’re doing is trying to protect YA before – their Scapegracers trilogy is one of girls. They’re each connected to the murder vic-
locals from exploitation and abuse. Bad trouble if my favorite YA fantasies of the 2020s so far – but tims. Tessa keeps accidentally (or ‘‘accidentally’’?)
you ask Sheriff Davies and his family – to them the Metal from Heaven is solidly adult fiction. White stumbling onto the bodies, and the killer is wear-
Abernathys are nothing more than rabble-rousers is clearly writing for teens here, yet he doesn’t talk ing Quinn’s old Peaches costume. With the help
intent on disrupting a system working as intended. down to them or soften the edges. He knows Gens of Quinn’s true crime podcaster ex-girlfriend, the
The night Miles comes out as trans is also the night Z and Alpha are having the same conversations girls set out to uncover the killer before anyone
he decides to make a move against the Davieses by Marney from Clarke’s book and Miles from his else gets stabbed. Unfortunately for them, the killer
releasing photos taken of the sheriff ’s involvement book are having. has eyes everywhere, a seemingly endless supply of
in a staged accident that badly injured Miles’s father What makes this book so necessary is seeing sharp knives, and a thirst for revenge that cannot
and cost others their lives. It also happens to be the Miles discover new aspects of himself while living be quenched.
same night when the sheriff ’s son Noah retaliates in a region that works extremely hard to keep those If Damned If You Do, Brown’s young adult de-
against Miles by nearly beating him to death. aspects hidden. People often talk about reading but, is riding first class on the Buffy train, then Rest
While in recovery, first from his injuries and later banned books, but book banners don’t actually in Peaches is a nonstop ticket to Scream-ville. The
from an addiction to painkillers, Miles begins to care about the books themselves. The goal of a ban cover copy and marketing don’t indicate just how
see the spirit of a dead man with a railroad spike is to remove options for kids; to make them think much Rest in Peaches wink-wink nudge-nudges
jammed in his mouth. Is Miles hallucinating? Is it there is only the narrow, constrictive box the bigots Scream, but it’s a lot. Like with Damned If You
a real ghost? Whatever Miles is experiencing, it in- have shoved them into. Books like Andrew Joseph Do, Rest in Peaches is more like a loving homage
spires him to take matters into his own hands. With White’s Compound Fracture show kids that they than a direct parallel. The big plot points line up,
the help of his friend Cooper, he crafts a plan to don’t have to accept the world as it is. There are as do several of the twists, but there are enough
not only get revenge for the Davies’ myriad victims other ways to live. Maybe they’re not bad at social- major and minor divergences that it doesn’t feel

20 / LOCUS December 2024

like a rip-off. each other, and each time their relationship gets it might take a little longer to get to us, we’re still
And Rest in Peaches hits all the marks of the harder to maintain and even harder to end. The subject to anti-Blackness and tokenization. Then
’90s-’00s teen slasher subgenre. It’s campy and silly longer this goes on, the more their families start to there’s the added layers of white people treating you
– I mean, come on, the Big Bad is someone wearing suspect something is up. The pressure is on to find like you’re the ‘‘solution’’ to racial strife – I can’t tell
a school mascot costume of a colorful parrot – yet a way out of these magical consequences while also you how many times growing up I heard that my
bloody and scary. Brown doesn’t pull back on freeing themselves from their parents’ impossible existence proved that racism was over – and the
describing the violence, but she also keeps it from expectations and demands. They just want to be fetishization of your skin tone and hair texture as
feeling too terrifying or grotesque. She keeps the two girls in love, but life, magic, and parents keep some sort of exotic treat.
reader on edge and heart pumping but not ready getting in the way. Black folks always treated me like a Black person,
to crawl out of their skin. Parenting is a major theme in Spells to Forget but white folks often treat me like I’m not really
Brown also digs into some deeper themes a lot Us. Luna and Aoife both have parents who aren’t Black and definitely not white but some sort of
of people miss in Scream. At the end of the day, necessarily bad or abusive, but also aren’t thought- special third thing that they can use as a model
Scream is about the violence young men are en- ful or observant. Their parents (and in Luna’s case, minority. You’re ‘‘the good one’’ or ‘‘not like those
couraged by society to commit. One of the killers grandmother) have forgotten that their children are other ones.’’ Add to that growing up in a predomi-
is a boy who’s mad his parents got divorced, and people with thoughts, feelings, wants, and needs. nately white space, it feels impossible to be truly
the other is mad that his girlfriend dumped him. For Aoife, she’s literally her parents’ moneymaker. seen as a biracial Black teen. Brophy thoughtfully
These are two privileged dudes growing up in a They mine her personal life for their parenting explores that tension between using your privilege
privileged town populated by middle- and upper- content mill so much that she’s petrified of telling to make space for those without, pushing back
class privileged people with manicured lawns and them anything. She can’t go to them as parents; against colorism (both within the Black community
well-funded public schools. They want for nothing, she can only interact with them as employers. No and without), and acknowledging the specific chal-
but the moment a woman slightly inconveniences matter how much she hints at wanting out of the lenges that come with being a lighter biracial Black
them, they have to make it everyone else’s problem. influencer life, they cannot or will not hear her. person in a white supremacist society.
Brown explores those same themes of white Likewise with Luna’s grandmother, Grandma Gold, Given the ending, I wouldn’t call this a romance
privilege, the patriarchy, and toxic masculinity the family matriarch. Her parents despise each novel, but I loved the ending anyway. Brophy gave
while also adding onto them layers of queerness, other (they married only because Grandma Gold them an ending that felt realistic and honest. Luna
race, gender, and parental pressure. It takes a lot decided it would be politically expedient) and so and Aoife end up in a situation that is both bit-
of skill to do what Brown is doing here within the spend as little time participating in familial activi- tersweet and hopeful. They make the responsible
confines of a teen slasher, a subgenre often defined ties as possible. Grandma Gold sees Luna as a pawn choice even though it’s the one that hurts the
by its abuse of young women. She isn’t so much to move around a chess board or a soldier on the most. Showing teens that romantic relationships
dismantling the subgenre as reimagining what it field to command. She fully intends to use Luna to can be complex, that there is a gray area between
could be capable of. It’s why I love seeing marginal- further ensure her legacy and security just like she ‘‘together’’ and ‘‘broken up,’’ is so important. A
ized authors take on well-worn tropes and infusing did with Luna’s parents, and it doesn’t matter how lot of teens are navigating their first real relation-
their cultures and experiences into it. A trope is miserable it makes any of them. ships and only have what they see in media or in
altered by the author who writes it, and when you The latter is a situation that many Millennial and their friend groups as examples. This offers a nice
fold in larger sociocultural contexts, the results are younger Black folks are intimately familiar with. counternarrative.
often dazzling. As Brophy explains, this isn’t just an elder being Even after all this, there is so much more to talk
Two quick notes. I mentioned it above, but I tough on a younger child or having ludicrously about! Aislinn Brophy explores the patriarchy and
want to be clear that no, I did not review my own high expectations. There’s a specific dynamic hap- toxic masculinity, the way communities of color
book. We are different Alex Browns. Also, I did pening between Luna and Grandma Gold. Older are set up by white supremacy to compete with
not know this before I asked to cover this book, generation Black folks – we’re talking those who each other, the dangerous sides of social media,
but Alex gave me a very generous shout-out in the grew up in Jim Crow and/or knew elders who were parasocial relationships, queerness, neurodiver-
acknowledgements. We’ve never had the pleasure either freed from or one generation removed from sity, and on and on. I picked up Spells to Forget
of meeting IRL, but I did write a glowing review slavery – can sometimes end up smothering their Us expecting a light, frothy fantasy romance but
of Damned If You Do. So go check that book out children unintentionally because of generational instead got heartfelt conversations about big topics
and this one and you’ll have a damn good time. trauma. Grandma Gold had to fight for everything that aren’t discussed nearly enough. This was an
she has now. She went up against a centuries-old excellent sophomore novel.
In Aislinn Brophy’s new young adult romantic fan- system of racial oppression and misogynoir. Ev-
tasy Spells to Forget Us, two Black teen girls have erything she does is to leave a better world behind David Ferraro’s new young adult fantasy romance
to balance falling in love with neglectful parents for her descendants. She wants Luna to have what A Vile Season is comped as Bridgerton meets The
and harsh community expectations. Luna Gold she deserves without having to claw it out of the Bachelor but with vampires. That’s exactly the vibe.
and Aoife Walsh meet-cute at a high school football hands of racist white people. She wants this so Everything from the pacing, the intentionally and
game. They flirt, they go out, they get together, desperately she can’t even acknowledge that Luna flamboyantly anachronistic diversity in the upper
they break up. Turns out, this isn’t the first time might not want the same things she fought to gain. classes, the garish wardrobe, the playful disregard
they’ve had their romantic meet-cute and it won’t She’s also forgotten that freedom isn’t just about for historical accuracy, the overly dramatic rela-
be the last. Luna is the youngest heir to a powerful getting access to the same things white people have tionship conflicts, the marriage competition, the
magical family in Boston. She’s expected to marry but getting to choose what you do with your life. affluent and privileged cast, it all feels like a season
another witch and have lots of witch babies and She feels that Luna is disrespecting and disregard- of an addictive romance TV show.
continue consolidating the Gold family position. ing all the pain she went through, while Luna just After his hideaway is attacked by vampire hunt-
What she absolutely is not allowed to do is date a wants her grandmother to relax her definition of ers, the notorious vampire Count Lucian Cross is
mundane. Which is a problem when she falls for success a little. driven into the hills. Seeking refuge in a cave before
Aoife, a nonmagical girl. Magic is everywhere, but Two other conversations I don’t often see in the sun comes up, he meets Vrykolakas, a vampire
mundanes are blocked from seeing it by an ancient young adult fantasy that Brophy digs into here are centuries older than Lucian and with magic no
spell. Luna has also inherited the unfortunate fam- colorism and the fetishization of biracial people. one has ever seen before. He offers Lucian a deal:
ily trait of having to pay a cost for casting a spell. Aoife is light-skinned and biracial Black and white, Become human; get Ambrose, the heir to the
So when Luna breaks the spell that prevents Aoife just like I am. Like Aoife, I’m very aware of the dukedom, to propose to him; and steal a list with
from seeing magic, the price is that if they ever split privileges I’m afforded over my kin with darker the names of all the vampire hunters in the region.
up, both of them will forget the other ever existed. skin, and how tempting it is to tap into that prox- In exchange Vrykolakas, will make him the most
This goes about as well as you’d expect. imity to whiteness to insulate myself against the powerful vampire to walk the Earth. Lucian leaps
Aoife and Luna keep finding their way back to worst racism. Yet we also know that even though  p. 63

LOCUS December 2024 / 21

LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS: ALEXANDRA PIERCE

Vilest Things, Chloe Gong (Saga Press 978-1- turn exacerbated when Otta declares that Talin’s that Gong has set up, going into the final book in
66800-026-7, $28.99, 384pp, hc). September 2024. crown – which is supposed to kill the undeserving the trilogy – some sort of showdown between Calla
Cover by Will Staehle. if they attempt to wear it – is a fake. and Anton on one side, and August on the other
The Calla/Anton dynamic was developed well – harks back once again to the play. I am eagerly
The Escher Man, T.R. Napper (Titan 978-1- in the first book – they began as adversaries, anticipating the Shakespearean parallels – but even
80336-815-3, $17.99, 368pp, pb) September 2024. became wary allies, and eventually lovers. Their more, how Gong manages to resolve the personal
Cover by Julia Lloyd. relationship has never been an easy one, and and the political issues that she has presented so
their new roles – adviser and king, betrayer and far. I am confident that it will all come together in
Edge of the Known World, Sheri T. Joseph betrayed, with Anton pretending to be someone unexpected, and entirely appropriate ways.
(SparkPress 978-1-68463-262-6, $18.99, 328pp, else – complicate things immensely. Still, Anton
pb) September 2024. Cover by Kathleen Lynch. as king knows that he needs to work with Calla to It’s 2101. Macau is filled with casinos and run by
deal with the political situation in the provinces; gangsters; Endel (aka Endgame), an Australian,
Fortress Sol, Stephen Baxter (Gollancz 978-1- he doesn’t like it, and neither does she, but in is an enforcer for the main cartel, sent to kill
39961-461-0, £25.00, 480pp, hc). October 2024. theory they could make it work. Adding Otta to traitors and anyone else who threatens the gang’s

V
the situation, however, changes everything: she has livelihood. Endel is a drunk and a gambler, and
ilest Things picks up about ten minutes always been reckless and willful – like announcing separated from his wife and child because of his
before the end of Immortal Longings. publicly that the crown is a fake. As adolescents, behaviour. Billed as cyberpunk, T.R. Napper’s
This review contains significant spoilers Anton always followed in her wake. One of the key The Escher Man certainly meets Bruce Sterling’s
for that first book so interested readers should threads throughout the book is Anton confronting ‘‘low life and high tech’’ criteria, filled as it is with
see my review in the August 2023 issue of Locus. how he has changed during Otta’s absence, and both thugs and futuristic technology. Cochlear
Vilest Things opens with Anton Makusa hav- deciding how he will now act. Calla’s main chal- implants allow such gifts as simultaneous transla-
ing just jumped his qi to crown prince August lenge is also personal: Who is she now that she is tions between languages; memory pins are used to
Shenzhi’s body, over what should have been an not looking for revenge? supplement and enhance human memory.
impossible distance, in the moment that his lover Throughout Vilest Things, Chloe Gong neatly The memory pins become a key MacGuffin
and rival Calla Tuoleimi stabbed him to win the balances the deeply personal (confronting betrayal, for the action: Natural human memory is getting
San-Er games. His first actions are to find out leading a secret life, a resurrected lover) with the worse, and no one really knows why, so the pins
where his birth body is located, and then to ransack intensely political. On the political side, the ques- are incredibly important. More of an issue, though,
the palace records for information about the death tion of politics and religion is central to events. is that the memory pins can have mnemonic
of his parents. Only then – as shown in Immortal San-Er and its ruling elite have rejected the old directives implanted within them – instructions,
Longings – is he crowned by Calla, who has just gods, and have tried very hard to stamp out or at or even entire sets of new memories. Mr. Long,
killed the previous king. least degrade their worship within the capital city. Endel’s boss, makes use of this to issue instruc-
The central characters find themselves dealing There are efforts to extend that to the provinces tions, and guide Endel to his targets. As the novel
with great difficulties as their stories continue. as well, although less successfully: Contempt of progresses, it becomes clear that Endel’s memory
Calla thought she had achieved her life’s ambitions provincials for their old-fashioned beliefs is de has been tampered with far more than he realised.
at the cost of killing her lover, but now must live rigueur within the palace. This attempt to control I have two key frustrations with this novel. Call-
with that (actually living) lover despising her for people’s beliefs is a key reason for the discontent felt ing it The Escher Man may either suggest some-
her betrayal; she’s adrift, with nothing left to strive by many throughout Talin, and it speaks directly to thing about Mr. Long, and the way he manipulates
for. Anton, meanwhile, is unexpectedly king, but questions of authoritarian control, and the impo- Endel (although he’s not in the novel enough to
was betrayed by Calla and learns that his parents sition of belief by the elite and powerful onto the really warrant this interpretation); or, more likely,
were assassinated on orders from the palace. In masses. Gong also begins to confront questions of suggest something about Endel himself: That he
contrast, Talin as a country should in theory be what happens after revolution: Calla in particular is feels like he’s going around and around without
facing a period of prosperity: Anton should be a wracked by worries about who might seize control getting anywhere, perhaps. The latter is what my
much better king than Kasa was. However, two in a power vacuum. I expect that much of the third reading experience was like; for much of the novel,
new complications rapidly appear. First, on the instalment will revolve around this particular issue. I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. Endel’s memo-
political front, there is unrest in the provinces, The Flesh and False Gods trilogy was inspired ries and identity are constantly being messed with
as well as the suspicious and mysterious deaths by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. Some of and as a consequence, Endel as a character just
of royal guards. Second, on a personal level, Otta the names and roles are obvious nods to the play, doesn’t have much character, aside from ‘‘I am a
Avia – Anton’s first love, in a coma for many years and Immortal Longings included clear parallels violent man’’ and ‘‘I miss my family.’’ He essentially
– miraculously wakes up. More problems arise in a number of its narrative beats. Vilest Things is restarts (respawns, in gaming terminology) sev-
from these: turmoil erupts in the capital San-Er somewhat further away from that inspiration (not eral times, in different contexts and with different
itself, with citizens rebelling against the existing least because Mark Antony never took over Oc- motivations; while I as the reader know what he’s
political and (un)religious status quo, which is in tavian’s body or crown). However, the conclusion lost, I never ended up feeling particularly sorry

22 / LOCUS December 2024

for him. My lack of sympathy was in part a result deed, so great that they have developed portable questions are addressed through the various crises.
of Endel’s lack of character, but it’s exacerbated by gene-scanners that can detect the marker from a In the year 2198, humans are mining the clouds
the fact that he is such a violent man, and we are simple cheek swab. The Alliance is where most of of Neptune. The crew of the James Watt encounter
never presented with any particularly redeeming the story’s action happens. and name the ‘‘lumes’’ (for ‘‘luminous menaces’’)
features; love for one’s family isn’t enough, when Joseph has said that the concept for the book – small objects which appear from outside of the
it’s tied up with violence towards them. I think I began with learning that in the 1940s, Adolf Hitler solar system, fall into Neptune, and release an
was also meant to question whether or not he is, wanted to develop a blood test to identify Jewish unexpectedly large amount of energy. There is
in fact, a violent man – but there is little evidence children whose appearance allowed them to hide no communication from them, no indication of
to make me argue with what Endel believes about in the ‘‘Aryan’’ population. It wasn’t possible, but intent, and no explanation of what they’re doing.
himself. (The violence is an important aspect to be come to the 21st century, with increasing use of Humanity basically panics. Some people end up
aware of: There is a great deal of it in this novel. genetic testing both for disease markers and for fleeing – constructing generation ships to take
Knives, guns, fists and kicks – they all get used with ancestry research purposes, and it seems less far- them, hopefully, to safety. Others stay behind and
ferocity and ruthlessness, and described in some fetched. Add in the trend towards fear of refugees construct a fortress.
detail.) The restarting also meant there was little and migrants more generally, as well as questions Flash forward to 3207. Earth’s solar system
sense that the story was moving on, with no other over surveillance and privacy – this novel is re- is now hidden in two ways: there’s the System
narrative payoffs to make it worthwhile. sponding to pressing current political issues and Mask, an envelope for which the word ‘‘big’’ is
My other frustration was around the larger following them to one possible (and horrifying) laughably inadequate: It encloses the solar system
philosophical questions. The connection between outcome. from Uranus on in, and anyone approaching from
memory and identity, and how we know who we Three key characters drive the story. Alexandra outside will be shown a destroyed (and therefore
are and what we should be doing, is the central Taschen is the youngest person to have received a unattractive) solar system. And then there’s the
question, and there are some excellent conversa- PhD, in economics, from the TaskForce Institute. Solar Wrap, which hides the sun both physically
tions between characters – especially the Om- Eric Burton has been a Security Operations Direc- and gravitationally. Inside the Mask, the planets
missioners, or memory specialists – about what tor, leading a CyberIntel team; his foster brother and human society are connected by the Frame, a
memory is and why it’s important. The commen- Strav Beki is a skilled linguist and diplomat, and solar-systemwide highway. And all of this is only
tary on whether effectively outsourcing memory proud of being a descendent of Genghis Khan. possible because, while still fearing the intent of
to a technological device is a good idea is also Taschen, it turns out, is actually from the Federa- the lumes, humans have learned to harness the
an interesting one explored here. But the novel tion – she was smuggled into the US as an infant, lumes for power and light.
mostly deals with this issue at a surface level, and and has never been revealed; Eric has recently been Baxter focuses on the consequences for human-
in later chapters leaves that discussion to one side court-martialed for breaking a fellow operative’s ity of constructing this fortress, with the narrative
in favour of a political one about who controls the jaw; and Strav is dealing with PTSD from a bun- almost entirely set within the solar system. He
means of production of the memory pins and for gled hostage negotiation. These are the corners of does so through both those who live within its
what reason – a question that seems to come from the love triangle that forms the emotional nucleus bounds and through outsiders. On the inside,
nowhere, with little earlier foregrounding to make of the story. Each character is dealing with emo- the key character is Rab, a young man whose
it fit within the rest of the story. tions – falling in love, struggling with fear, being mother was so determined that he would not end
The Escher Man presents some thought- outraged by betrayal – while also dealing with their up being sent to the Mercury mines that, when
provoking questions and shows that cyberpunk jobs and wider politics, in particular an attempt to he was two years old, she tried to run away from
continues to be a relevant genre in the 21st century. get some semblance of recognition and power for her assigned living space – and when that failed,
It just doesn’t quite fulfill its promises on either at least one group of displaced people. she cut his hand off. Now an engineer, Rab works
characterisation or the philosophical side of things. The personal and the political are woven togeth- on the Mask, coincidentally under the former
er throughout the story, with personal attitudes law enforcement officer who caught his mother
In her debut novel, Sheri T. Joseph mixes frus- impacting on global politics and vice versa. Told trying to run. Rab is working on the section of
tratingly messy politics with painfully messy in the third person, the reader has insight into how the Mask that identifies the first ever ship outside
personal affairs to create a riveting novel of the all three lead characters make decisions and react of the Mask. It turns out to be a generation ship
not-far-enough-away future. It’s a future of familiar to situations, as well as their pain and occasional from a colony established many centuries ago,
challenges – displaced people, xenophobia, tech- triumph. Following the three characters gives the returning to see how Earth is faring. One of those
nologies that threaten individual privacy. Joseph story greater depth than following only one would onboard is 19-year-old Muree, whose main job on
uses three key characters, and their love triangle, have. Their motivations and experiences are very the starship Lightbird is working on the lume tank,
to examine the politics – and uses the politics to different from one another, allowing Joseph to and whose friendship with Rab is the core of the
highlight personal conflicts. explore this future much more thoroughly through story. Together, they find themselves questioning
Edge of the Known World opens a couple of their varied interactions and responses. Given their everything Rab has ever known – especially the
decades after a war has devastated the globe. There different expertise – economics, cyber security, purpose of the Mask and the Wrap, and the way
are, naturally, ongoing political repercussions diplomacy – and different jobs, Alex, Eric, and the solar system society works.
of this war; some familiar nations still exist, but Strav move differently through the various chal- Urgent questions are addressed in Fortress Sol:
much more significant are new political blocs: the lenges, highlighting the maneuvering and tensions In particular, what do humans do when faced with
Federation Regime (somewhere in Central Asia), of back-room political deals, as well as reacting an existential threat – do we run or do we hide?
Allied Nations (including the USA), and Protec- differently to the plight of the powerless. Overall (Or, the third way which is hinted at but not ad-
torates (none of which are clearly mapped against the balance between the intensely personal and dressed – try to understand it.) And then how do
existing polities). Mass, and occasionally forced, the world-changing politics feels about right, too. we assess when that threat might be over, or might
migrations have displaced and disenfranchised not actually be the threat we thought it was? Espe-
enormous groups of people. As well, radiation Fortress Sol is classic Stephen Baxter. It’s driven cially when the people in power have little reason
and disease – some the result of bioweapons – by big ideas: Humanity’s response to a perceived to want to change the way things have been for a
accompanied the war. The Federation used gene existential threat includes both dispersing to the long, long time. Population control, for example,
therapy to mitigate the radiation effects; it didn’t stars and mind-boggling engineering projects. has been a powerful issue for both those who fled
work, but those who received it have been left with Like 2021’s Galaxias, the focus is not so much on and those who remained, both in terms of birth
a genetic marker. People in the Allied Nations refer the alien threat as on humanity’s response. There’s rate but also in deciding what jobs need to be filled
to people with the marker as ‘‘refusés’’ – because a relatively small cast of characters, who are engag- and how to make sure that (for instance) there are
the Alliance refuses them entry, thanks to a fear ing enough but may not be sufficient to keep a enough workers to do the hard, dangerous mining
of bioweapons – when they’re being polite, and reader attached if they’re bored by the science and required to keep the society functioning. In this
by nastier names otherwise. Alliance fear is, in- engineering. And some pressing contemporary  p. 64

LOCUS December 2024 / 23

LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS: GABINO IGLESIAS
The Midnight Club, Margot Harrison (Graydon
House 978-1-52580-988-0, $28.00, 368pp, hc)
September 2024.

Dungeon Crawler Carl, Matt Dinniman (Dandy

House 979-8-6885-9150-7, $13.99, 400pp, tp)
September 2020. (Ace 978-0-59382-024-7, $30.00,
464pp, hc) August 2024. Cover by Will Staehle.

Model Home, Rivers Solomon (MCD 978-0-

37460-713-5, $28.00, 304pp, hc) October 2024.
Cover by Abby Kagan.

M
argot Harrison’s The Midnight Club is
one of those novels that defies catego-
rization. At its core, this is a murder
mystery (or a mystery about a suicide that some
folks think could have been a murder). However, now and then, so that readers always feel like they of those is a bad thing. Dinniman managed to
it’s also a narrative about the changing nature of are wherever the characters are. These things take inject some emotional moments and a few smart
friendship as well as a science fiction tale about time, and Harrison takes her time with them. The critiques into this narrative, but it’s mostly about
a substance that can make people relive the past. result is a novel that never crawls and is never fun. Magic potions, jokes, witty dialogue, gory
Jumping back and forth in time and concerned boring, but it also never runs, and some passages fight scenes worthy of a horror novel; everything
with memory, the way the past shaped us, and feel like they could have been shorter while still here is over the top, and that makes it work. It’s
the way death can alter all dynamics, this is an retaining their effectiveness. hard to take a talking cat who is a diva seriously,
intriguing, entertaining novel. The idea of going back to the past and reliving but Dinniman pulls that off here. Similarly, it
Sonia, Auraleigh, Byron, and Paul were good some of our favorite moments is one I think ev- would be easy to think that Carl will never grow
friends in college, 25 years ago. They worked eryone has had at some point. This novel is about into a likeable, nuanced character, but the author
together on their campus literary magazine and that, and it shows that maybe the past should also manages to pull that off. The result is a story
navigated that space between childhood and stay in the rearview mirror. Harrison, a talented that follows a man with no pants and a talking cat
adulthood together. Sadly, they are also bonded storyteller with four young adult novels to her used to winning contests as they fight monsters,
by something more powerful and much darker name, enters adult fiction with a strong debut join forces with other crawlers, become a popular
than their nights at the magazine: the death of that brings together some of the best elements duo in the deadly TV show they’re part of, and do
their friend Jennet during their junior year. Jen- of time-traveling stories and mixes them with everything they can to stay alive and get to the next
net suffered an accident, but some people suspect the atmosphere of a whodunit. If you’re a fan of level before their time to do so is up and they die.
there was foul play involved. Now, a quarter of either – or both! – definitely check this one out. Not all the jokes here land, and there are pages in
a century after it all went down, the friends get which repetition makes it clear that this should not
together again in the little Vermont town where Dungeon Crawler Carl is not really a book; it’s be a 464-page book and would probably work bet-
everything began and where Auraleigh has called a long joke, a gimmick, a video game turned ter if it was much shorter, but the important thing
them. But Auraleigh doesn’t just want to talk about into fiction. The thing is, it works. It has spots here is that the novel never becomes boring and
the past, catch up, and reminisce about their days where it is juvenile or a little slow, but author while the pacing varies, the tale is always moving
at the magazine. No, Auraleigh wants them all to Matt Dinniman clearly had a blast writing it, and forward. Also, the novel’s shortcomings are easy to
do everything in their power to get answers re- that shines through and makes the novel a very overlook when faced with the way the author made
garding Jennet’s death. To do so, she gives them all enjoyable read. sure readers could follow the action and learn how
sog, a substance that makes people relive the past. Carl is a Coast Guard veteran who likes to stay things work. By the middle of the novel, readers
But sog is dangerous. No one really understands in shape. Other than that, his life is more or less can see Carl using the menu in his head, and doing
how it works, and people who use it too much end a shambles. He is in the immediate aftermath of that clearly and easily is no easy task.
up confused, or stuck in some other time, or some the end of a relationship, and is also taking care Dungeon Crawler Carl is the first of seven
other reality. To make matters worse, the friends’ of Princess Donut, his ex-girlfriend’s cat. When books. It was originally self-published and was
use of sog and ventures into the past in search of the cat slips out of the apartment in the middle of then picked up by a big publisher because it
answers are complicated by the secrets they hide. a cold night, Carl finds himself with no pants and became a success. After reading the first one, the
The Midnight Club works on different levels. no shoes, trying to save the kitty from becoming a why is clear: This book is fun. That the book is the
First, there’s the mystery surrounding Jennet’s Popsicle. That’s when the world ends. Boom. One first in a series becomes apparent early on, but that
death, which gets weirder and more interesting as second in which every building in the world col- doesn’t distract from all the action, and the ending
the narrative progresses. Then there is the variety lapses into nothingness, killing everyone inside. In is not the kind that makes readers angry. Are Carl
of points of view Harrison deftly juggles. Getting the immediate aftermath, Carl learns he’s now part and Princess Donut complex enough to sustain a
different voices – different pasts, different secrets of a game show. An alien game show. Once Carl seven-book series? I don’t know, but I already have
– makes for a richer, more complex story. Also, receives instructions and enters a portal that takes the second one and I’m looking forward to digging
sog and everything it entails is perhaps some of him into the game show, which operates just like in, and that’s an accomplishment in itself.
the best stuff in the novel. The idea of being able an adventure/survival video game, the mayhem
to vividly relive your past is an enticing idea, but starts. Watched by billions of viewers across the Rivers Solomon’s Model Home is a novel about
the author shows the bad that could come from universe, Carl and Princess Donut must fight to a haunted house in which said house sits in the
that. Together, these elements make this novel an survive, learning how things work as they progress background while haunted people take center
engaging read. and watching the number of contestants become stage. Stunningly written and full of the kind of
Despite everything it has going for it, the pacing smaller by the second. Making it all the way to trauma that can only come from family, this novel
of this novel will not be for everyone. Harrison the end seems impossible, so for the time being, takes the haunted house trope and turns it into
meticulously develops her characters – especially Carl and Princess Donut focus on just making it something that feels entirely new, very fresh, and
in the context of who they were and what they did to the next level. packing an emotional punch that lingers way after
a quarter century ago and who they are and what This is definitely a book that will appeal to you turn the last page.
they do in the present. She also builds the world, gamers and well as younger audiences. Neither  p. 64

24 / LOCUS December 2024

LOCUS LOOKS AT ART BOOKS: KAREN HABER
Thalamus: The Art of Dave McKean, Dave and film projects with John
McKean (Dark Horse 978-1-50672486-7 $149.99, Cale, Stephen King, Lars
600pp, hc) November 2023. Cover by Dave von Trier, and Iain Sinclair.
McKean. At the end of the second
volume, we even find McK-
The Kwaidan Collection, Lafcadio Hearn, il- ean grappling with the dawn
lustrated by Kent Williams (Beehive Books 978- of AI-generated art and its
1-948886-32-1) $100.00, 144+pp, hc) April 2023. implications for good and
Cover by Kent Williams. evil in the art universe.
It’s all presented with the
SHORT TAKES highest production values,
Voyaging, Volume One: The Plague Star, George glossy paper, sewn-in bind-
R.R. Martin, art and adaptation by Raya Golden ing with ribbon bookmarks,
(Ten Speed Graphic, 978-1-98486-10-8-5, $19.99, and attractive slipcase. Most
192pp. tp) October 2023. Cover by Raya Golden. of the art is well-presented
at good size with occasional
Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s, small ‘‘in-development’’ im-
Adam Rowe (Abrams 979-1-4197-4869-1, $40.00, ages accompanying finished
224pp, hc) July 2023. covers. Copyright and credit

A
pages document each work. There’s really too An oversize hardcover volume offers a lot of
giant of the fantastic art field deserves a much here to be encapsulated in one review. His production value: bound-in sewn signatures,
huge print retrospective, and for British art bio and list of awards and collaborators alone 204 pages printed on creamy acid-free uncoated
artist Dave McKean, one of the most ac- would take pages. It might be easier to simply list paper, illuminated letters, spot drawings and full-
claimed and influential artists in the SF/F field and any realms of the arts that McKean hasn’t touched. page illustrations, all wrapped in an embossed
beyond, Thalamus fills the bill. A huge, slipcased, This staggering achievement, a guaranteed die-cut slipcase silk-screened and foil-stamped
two-volume retrospective of McKean’s artwork, it’s collector’s item, may be the most important ret- with artwork.
a monument to one artist’s remarkable revolution- rospective by an artist to date. At 600 pages total, The Kwaidan Collection is another in a series
ary achievement. It’s also a very personal statement these two massive slipcased volumes require a of outstanding illuminated volumes from Beehive
by McKean, years in the making, of his life as an huge commitment on the part of the reader. You Books, a unique publisher who deserves an award
artist spanning subjects, media, influences, and can’t just page through them. Details must be in- for sheer dedication to imagination and quality of
much, much more. vestigated. Attention must be paid. Thalamus is a their many unusual publications.
As you open the first volume, prepare to be must for artists, comic lovers, art worshippers and
impressed. You get an immediate clue from the anyone else with the pocket change and shelf space SHORT TAKES
endpages: rolling fields of brainfolds containing for this huge compendium, not to mention the Hugo Award-nominated artist Raya Golden
vast cultural references, as though we’re peeking time to spend wrapped up in McKean’s universe. (Meathouse Man, Starport) brings her acclaimed
into the artist’s thalamus. (As some of you may expressive drawing skills, imagination, and sense
know, the thalamus is the human brain’s relay The Kwaidan Collection is not only a fascinating of humor to Voyaging, Volume 1: The Plague
station, processing information to be sent to the illustrated volume of vintage supernatural Japanese Star, the winding tale of Haviland Tuf, tall, bald,
cerebral cortex for further use.) folk tales, brilliantly interpreted by acclaimed eccentric space merchant – and cat lover – and his
A polymathic multimedia artist, writer, film- multimedia artist Kent Williams, it’s historically ship of fortune-seeking fools in the graphic novel
maker, and musician, McKean – whose sui generis significant. These stories were literally rescued by adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s composite
artwork combines photography, collage, digital, the eccentric multilingual world traveler Lafcadio novel Tuf Voyaging (1986) set in the universe of
and hand skills – revolutionized the look of comic Hearn (1850-1904) in the early 20th century when Martin’s The Thousand Worlds.
cover and internal illustration. His art transcends the impact of Western culture was flattening and A Locus Award Finalist, Voyaging, Volume 1
categorization. He plays with perspective, medium, erasing traditional Japanese folk culture. focuses on the journey of a group of treasure hunt-
texture and the viewer’s own visual expectations. If Originally published in Kwaidan: Stories and ers who buy passage on Tuf ’s ship, The Cornucopia
Kafka had been an artist in the late 20th century, Studies of Strange Things (1904), these eerie Japa- of Excellent Goods at Low Prices, to a ‘‘Plague Star,’’
this is what he might have created: challenging, nese tales and legends have been given vibrant life an orbital entity causing terrible disease in every
oddly skewed perspectives, dark frightening ele- and strangeness through the intense, brilliant work third generation of a remote world. The plague star
ments tinged by more than a touch of paranoia, of multimedia artist and painter Kent Williams and is, in reality, an abandoned lab/factory/fortress or
and salted with humor – for example, wolves in the inspired design of publisher and design direc- ‘‘seedship’’ from the long-vanished Federal Em-
the walls gleefully wearing stolen socks. tor Maëlle Doliveux. There’s an introduction by pire’s Ecological Engineering Corps, used in the
Thalamus touches down at every point along filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, a foreword by writer distant past for genetic terraforming of planets,
McKean’s career: Sandman, Arkham Asylum, Mr. Kyoko Yoshida, and a biographical afterword by regardless of the consequences. Tuf ’s passengers all
Punch, Cages, Pictures That Tick (a collection Bon Koizumi, Hearn’s great-grandson and director plan to gain control of the seedship and use of the
of his short stories in comics form that won the of the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum in Japan. technological wonders within to make themselves
Victoria & Albert Museum Illustrated book of the Despite their age, these unusual tales carry a wealthy and powerful.
Year Award in 2000), Coraline, Voodoo Lounge great deal of chilly impact in their accounts of Of course, things don’t go well. For starters, not
(his collaboration with the Rolling Stones), CD ghosts, possessed forests, undead samurai, man- all of the passengers like cats. When Tuf ’s ship is
covers, photographs, the 500-page Harvey Award- eating goblins, and corpse brides, to name only a damaged by the seedship’s automated defenses, the
winning comic novel Pages, and even illustrations few of their subjects. fun really begins.
for The New Yorker. In 1996 he composed and Williams’s wonderfully spooky atmospheric A vivid, action-packed story that highlights
performed the music for the BBC Radio adapta- painted illustrations are the perfect accompani- some of the worst – and best – aspects of human
tion of his graphic novel Signal to Noise with ment and feature an array of techniques and nature, Voyaging showcases human nature in all
saxophonist Iain Ballamy. He designed and di- references, some in full color and others rendered its flawed, hilarious permutations, and alien life in
rected the movie Mirrormask, among others. His in pen and ink. They provide depth and space to some frightening death-dealing variations.
list of collaborators begins with Neil Gaiman, but contemplate the source and tradition of these tales, Golden superbly renders emotion and inten-
includes Grant Morrison, David Almond, and The and shiver-inducing touches: the earless monk, a tion of characters in both body and face, handling
Rolling Stones. He has worked on a variety of book trickster fox, shadowed ghostly faces.  p. 64

LOCUS December 2024 / 25

LOCUS LOOKS AT BOOKS: DIVERS HANDS

RUSSELL LETSON other skills, beyond an unpredictable capacity for line: faith lost, questioned, suppressed, betrayed,
Days of Shattered Faith, Adrian Tchaikovsky extreme and ferocious violence. But then, Gil’s or transferred. And it’s not only religious faith
(Head of Zeus 978-1-03590-152-4, £22.00, 544pp, situation is already full of strains and conflicted or supernatural belief at stake. Also challenged
hc) December 2024. Cover by Joe Wilson. feelings. and strained are personal or familial or cultural

D
Working in Pallesand’s diplomatic service loyalty; chains of command, protocols, traditions,
ays of Shattered Faith, the third book wasn’t a job for an ideologue. You had to and rulesets; moral codes; or even what might
in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Tyrant Philoso- make too many compromises... . All those have been thought to be one’s own nature. Some
phers sequence, continues to examine traditions and gods, the festivals, the of those betrayals and desertions point to freedom
monks, the idiosyncrasies, the language,
the effects of the long-running, world-conquering the stories, all of it done away with because
– or maybe just a different set of constraints and
program of the nation of Pallesand, a resolutely they got in the way of efficient perfection. compromises and conflicting demands. And some
rationalist, religion-detesting nation determined And she’d been off the leash and in foreign of those conflicts are not resolvable.
to bring its notion of secular perfection to a world parts for long enough that she’d become This makes for a complicated, interwoven, mul-
that is filled with supernatural forces and entities fond of those things herself. She could see tiviewpoint plot dotted with many back-story re-
of all kinds: gods, ghosts, demons, and magical why you’d miss them. veals, rich in intra- and interpersonal conflicts and
powers and practitioners. The first two books, City The governing powers of Usmai have their fraught relationships. The overarching story of
of Last Chances and House of Open Wounds, own problems. The Alkhand (hereditary mon- succession via usurpation and fratricidal civil war
were set in, respectively, a defeated and occupied arch) Operan is in decline, and his eldest son, invites comparisons to both A Game of Thrones
city and a mobile field hospital and offered views the ‘‘warrior prince’’ Gorbudan, has been exiled and the Wars of the Roses, while Pallesand’s geo-
of Palleseen bureaucratic and military cultures and disinherited. This leaves the mild, reflective political machinations and ideological rigidity
and authority pyramids, as well as of the meta- second son Dekamran as the designated heir to carry a strong whiff of the Cold War. So there are
physics of this magic-saturated universe. Days of the throne. While Gorbudan aches to take military assignations and assassinations, imprisonments
Shattered Faith turns to international diplomacy action against the Palleseen, Dekamram looks for and escapes, and several very large set-piece battle
and its sometimes-unsavory means and methods. a diplomatic solution with the help of its Resident, scenes featuring frightful otherworldly creatures
The setting is Alkhalend, the capital city of Usmai, Gil, ‘‘[w]ho is, in fact, his closest friend, and a and forces and a great deal of scenery-destroying.
the most powerful state of the ‘‘Successor Coast’’ woman he greatly likes and admires.’’ Actually, But there are also strains of difficult or forbidden
culture that is high on Pallesand’s to-be-perfected more than ‘‘likes.’’ To make things more compli- erotic attachments, restless nondynastic ambition,
list. Usmai is ancient and still independent, resil- cated, Gil feels the same way about the prince. youthful defiance, professional disillusionment,
ient, and strong, thanks in part to its willingness What could possibly go wrong? bitter exile, lost love, and undercurrents that
to absorb, adapt, and tolerate populations from Elsewhere there are: a pirate band/tribe with reach far back in time. The several resolutions
outside cultures (or even outside universes). an unexplained interest in Loret; two variously are severely circumscribed, with relationships and
Which means that Pallesand’s efforts to bring discontented younger siblings of the royal family; affiliations and loyalties rearranged, not always in
Usmai into its hegemony – – its Sway – must the wardens of a ghost-filled, escape-proof prison comfortable or comforting ways. But in the hard
proceed via diplomacy and influence-building called the House of Hard Angles; the masked world of the Tyrant Philosophers, such bloody flux
rather than direct military confrontation – for monks overseeing the Waygrove, an entry point is the best outcome one can hope for.
the moment, at least. to and from other worlds; and a half-dozen refu- – Russell Letson
Much of the central plotline follows the efforts gees from the climactic events of House of Open
of Gil Angilly, Pallesand’s Resident (chief diplomat Wounds, a ‘‘crooked little family’’ that has set up ARCHITA MITTRA
and dirty-tricks operative) in Usmai, to manage the Fever Lodge, a slum-based clinic where they Dream Machine: A Portrait of Artificial Intel-
this project. Of course, her work sets off all man- practice the material and magical healing arts. ligence, Appupen & Laurent Daudet (The MIT
ner of complications and upsets many applecarts, The Fever Lodge dwellers do not seem to be at the Press 978-0-26255-129-8, $29.95, 160pp, tp)
personal and political, each of which generates a center of events, but they eventually take crucial August 2024.

T
new subplot with its own viewpoint character. actions. Then there are what might be called the
To begin with, Gil is honor-bound to fight a duel semifree agents, whose personal ambitions might he graphic novel Dream Machine is the
with her opposite number from the Loruthi dip- require some finessing of their (already loosely brainchild of versatile Indian artist Appu-
lomatic service, which she finds painful because defined) official duties: a sketchy but competent pen (known for Legends of Halahala, The
he was not only a rival but a friend who has had Palleseen ‘‘Ventures’’ military officer and a roving Snake and the Lotus, and other inventive myth-
the bad fortune to be on the losing side in one Decanter (a relentless hunter/drainer of magical building comics) and Laurent Daudet, a French
of Pallesand’s endless wars for dominance. That objects). There are even some demons whose physicist and AI researcher. Educational and
same day, Gil also finds herself saddled with an contractual bindings have been manipulated so engaging, the book delves into the wide-reaching
unexpected, inexperienced, and unasked-for new that they form rather undemonic connections ramifications of AI technology by narrating the
assistant, Loret, who has a murky background with the upper world. fictional story of Hugo, the founder of a start-up
and no discernable diplomatic, covert-ops, or The novel’s title points to its main emotional specializing in Large Language Models (LLMs)

26 / LOCUS December 2024

who receives a lucrative proposal to work for one in AI technologies need to be strictly regulated book in the series, Sweep of Stars, was a Locus
of the biggest megacorporations in the world – an and even stopped. Award finalist in 2023 and garnered favourable
opportunity fraught with ethical dilemmas and However, although the book emphasizes at reviews for his Afrofuturist space adventure.
shady scheming. Thus, Dream Machine carefully several points on the dangers of AI, its conclusion Sweep of Stars clearly displays Broaddus’s ad-
and cleverly highlights the many pitfalls of the pointing to a world where AI can be deployed mirable worldbuilding, as he imagines the year
ChatGPT revolution in our modern-day capitalist ethically appears to me to be idealistic. It is a fair 2121, long after the environmental collapse of
economies while also breaking down key concepts argument that tech conglomerates should not Old Earth, where interplanetary resettlement
relating to generative AI to those unfamiliar with wield such enormous control over the planet’s has led to a much more expansive understanding
such technologies. resources, but given that generative AI is built on of the universe. While humans have lost much
The frame narrative in Dream Machine fol- the stolen labor of creative personnel and its very in this process, the charm of the novel lies in
lows Hugo, a Parisian entrepreneur and founder functioning is presently pushing the planet to the its illustration of how Black culture endures to
of KLAI, a small tech start-up whose language brink of destruction (whose consequences again build community and to bring levity and hope
translation AI model has captured the notice of will be borne disproportionately by populations into a troubled universe.
REAL.E, a megacorporation clearly inspired by residing in the Global South), I’m personally skep- At the outset, we are introduced to the
companies such as Meta and X Corp. REAL.E tical of any scenario where AI can serve the greater Muungano, a society that inhabits the Terran
claims to be working on an ‘‘immortality game’’ good or be used in an ethical manner, particularly moon, stretches of the Mars colony, Titan, and
combining the features of social media platforms in the wake of disaster capitalism. In fact, at the Oyigiyigi. As a collective that consciously left
and the tactics of survival horror games – easily time of writing this review, Google and Amazon Old Earth to build a new community, they seek
a facade for crowd surveillance and data theft. have both signed deals to use nuclear energy to to embody the principles of Muungano, which
As Hugo contemplates whether or not he should power their AI data centers – a dangerous move means ‘‘Togetherness’’ in Swahili, a far cry
sell out his company for personal gain, he is that once again highlights the unfettered power from the ruthless individualism of Old Earth
confronted with questions of inequality and in- of tech companies and the need for stringent values. Utopian society is wonderfully realised
justice. For the most part, Dream Machine takes government policies and sanctions to curb their through Afrofuturist tropes, as the ethos of
a pedagogical approach, explaining in bite-sized influence before it is too late. African philosophies and African American
speech bubbles how LLMs work (‘‘huge computer In this regard, the final chapter of this book culture are embedded in the political function-
programs that run statistics’’), the many prompt- made me feel a tad uneasy. The collaborators ing of Muungano life. The animist world that
ing techniques to fine-tune AI programs, their eschew a closed ending and instead offer five Broaddus invents is a harmonious synthesis of
potential applications in various fields from me- different futures, ranging from the utopian to nature, technology, AI, and human coexistence.
dicinal research to automating labor and beyond. the dystopian, based on whatever decision Hugo But their peace is soon disrupted by an unknown
But more importantly, the graphic novel makes may ultimately make. Instead of a straightforward terrorist invasion that leads to the sudden and
it a point to voice the urgent ethical concerns narrative, the final chapter of Dream Machine suspicious death of their beloved leader, Xola,
at the heart of all AI conversations happening morphs into a choose-your-own-adventure game, and an artificial wormhole becomes a source of
today, particularly the insuperable energy costs outlining different scenarios created with the aid deep concern for the Muungano when some of
required to run such programs and the unequal of ChatGPT and StableDiffusion. Although the their vessels are sucked into this void.
toll it will most definitely take on the residents art and text were prompted and crafted with the In Breath of Oblivion these fault lines turn
of the Global South who are already unfairly consent of the collaborators, perhaps hinting at into visible fractures as complex factions arise
affected by climate change. our interpolation within AI ecosystems irrespec- as a result of numerous power vacuums. Despite
As its subtitle ‘‘A Portrait of Artificial Intel- tive of whether we like it or not, this creative new leadership, the Muungano are still reeling
ligence’’ indicates, Dream Machine could easily choice did not sit well with me – surely a critique from the loss of their former leader, Xola, and
function as an introductory textbook on AI, of generative AI can be achieved without resorting they are being antagonised by Old Earth, which
but Appupen’s signature art style – evocative, to the use of generative AI? is using this opportunity to force the Muungano
layered, and filled with veiled references to his Perhaps I simply missed the point, or maybe into an interstellar alliance in order to bring
other works – elevates the book into a power- what the collaborators intended was precisely them under Old Earth’s control. But when the
ful critique of consumer capitalism and the this – a discomfort that forces oneself to reckon Muungano send a delegation to Old Earth to
wish-fulfilling fantasies of technocrats. This is with their ethics and morals and engage in fur- calm these rising tensions, they are captured,
most evident in the ‘‘SuperHugo’’ episodes – a ther debate and discussion with others. In this and Wachiru, Xola’s son, is held in the Pan-
mini comic-within-a-comic wherein Hugo’s light, Dream Machine successfully fulfills its opticon prison, where they intend to break his
unconscious fears and fantasies are literalized educational task by using a mixture of a contem- spirit. There is great civil unrest on Old Earth,
in a dystopian dreamscape that could very well plative barebones storyline and evocative art to and double agents abound. These events mir-
become humanity’s future if the concerns sur- explain various AI terminologies and ask timely ror the experiences of those in the wormhole.
rounding AI remain unheeded. With its simple questions regarding the same of its readers. It’s The Cypher, Muungano’s research vessel, has
and instructional narration, the supporting a good example of the versatility and beauty of lost communication, and there is active dissent
characters thus appear rather one-dimensional, the comics medium to combine storytelling with among the crew, as no one knows who should
serving a didactic function within the text, be pedagogy without coming across as didactic. lead them back home. The Reapers, the military
it the cartoonist Ayyo (perhaps a stand-in for Overall, Dream Machine is suited for readers arm of the Muungano, are also compromised by
Appupen himself) and Hugo’s partner, Anna – looking for an introduction the inner workings of numerous alien encounters. The vast amount of
both acting as foils to our protagonist’s dubious AI technology while also contemplating the future political manoeuvring that occurs in this book
conscience. These characters also provide an of technology unfolding within our present-day is philosophically interesting but slows down
opportunity for the collaborators to make a few capitalist power structures. the pace substantially and is why Breath of
points adjacent to AI discourse, such as how an – Archita Mittra Oblivion does not provide the same standalone
overreliance on technology and virtual assistants satisfaction as Sweep of Stars.
distances oneself from their loved ones (Hugo NEDINE MOONSAMY Second books in trilogies struggle as the
ignoring the incessant reminders about his an- Breath of Oblivion, Maurice Broaddus (Tor ‘‘in-between’’ narrative. Here, the new political
niversary celebrations with Anna) and the rise 978-1-25026-512-8, $30.99, 400pp, hc) Novem- relations that Broaddus introduces are clearly
of the right-wing government in India, bolstered ber 2024. part of an attempt to broaden the canvas of his

B
by feeding the masses with fake news and propa- story for future events, but while we are engaged
ganda. Coupled with the threat of mass layoffs reath of Oblivion is the second instal- by newer concerns, the suspense generated in
and massive energy costs, Dream Machine offers ment in Maurice Broaddus’s highly Sweep of Stars – what happened to Xola? Is
compelling arguments as to why developments anticipated Astra Black trilogy. The first  p. 65

LOCUS December 2024 / 27

V
ajra Chandrasekera was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he still lives. He began publishing short fiction with ‘‘Pockets
Full of Stones’’ in Clarkesworld (2013), and has since published scores of stories in genre magazines and anthologies. ‘‘The
Translator, at Low Tide’’ (2020) was a finalist for the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Prize.
Debut novel The Saint of Bright Doors (2023) won Crawford, Ignyte, Locus, and Nebula Awards, and was a finalist for Dragon,
Hugo, and Lammy Awards, as well as the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize. His latest novel, Rakesfall, was published earlier this year.
Chandrasekera was a finalist for the Sydney J. Bounds Award for Best Newcomer in 2024. He is also a published poet, essayist,
and reviewer. He has worked as an editor for Strange Horizons, and edited anthology Afterlives: The Year’s Best Death Fiction
2023 (2024). He also served as a judge for the Dream Foundry contest and the Salam Award.

‘‘M
y family were quite bookish; my father was a short story writer either. It was an odd kind of publication – it wasn’t a sale, because I never got
and novelist in Sri Lanka. He mostly published in the ’70s and paid, and in fact, I didn’t even get an acceptance letter. I just sent it in, and a
’80s, but he kept writing into the 2000s. Publishing in Sri Lanka month or two later it appeared in the newspapers. At first, I was really happy,
was very much a small-scale, independent business at the time – still is, in but then I realized they had cut the final paragraph, which was incredibly
many ways. He wasn’t a full-time author; he was a civil servant, and the annoying because it was a twist story – there was a very Roald Dahl-type
writing was a sideline, so the whole family was recruited. My mother would twist at the end, and the entire twist they had cut. I was deeply irritated by
edit his books, my brother did the covers, and even I, from the tender age it, but then this kid at school read this thing and was like, ‘No, wait, I like
of 11, would proofread his letterpress galleys. your story.’ That was my first story and my first review.
‘‘I think my father always had these ambitions that both his sons would also ‘‘I read a lot more SF at a young age than fantasy, because Arthur C. Clarke
grow up to be writers. Not in a particularly pressuring way, but it was very lived in Colombo, and we were always well-supplied with Clarke’s back
encouraging. At the same time – because this was his own experience – he catalogue. I read all of his novels fairly young, and Asimov as well, but not
also believed very strongly that you could not be a full-time writer, that it Heinlein – for some odd reason, there was a dearth of Heinlein. So, of the
couldn’t be your actual job, that you needed a day job to pay the bills. You Big Three, we had two, and I didn’t even know they were considered a Big
could only write on the side. So in that sense, it was a classic South Asian Three until much later. I explored fantasy, as well, a little later on. I think my
upbringing: You had to be a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer. Engineers first exposure to fantasy was less the classics and more the contemporary
were the most common in my family, and I was also kind of pushed in that fantasy of the ’90s, especially British fantasy, that very weird, urban fantasy
direction. style. Those were my early influences. I encountered all that before classic
‘‘Between these various influences and pressures, I think I started writing epic fantasy, like Tolkien, which I did read in my late teens, but by that time
short stories at maybe nine or ten. It really was, in many ways, because I had I had already read a lot of urban fantasy. It was a question of availability. UK
this exposure to not only the written matter of my parents’ library, but also genre fiction made it here more easily, because we had the British Council
an inside look at the business of writing. The industry was obviously very Library, and they would routinely stock the winners and nominees of the
different in that time and place, but I could see the writer’s side of it, and Clarke Awards, but you wouldn’t necessarily see that year’s Hugo and Nebula
what it was like. I would wake up in the morning and realize my father had Award books on shelves. I was more up to date on what was coming out
been up since three in the morning, writing before he went to work. I had of the UK than the US. A lot of that other stuff I caught up with a little bit
a very clear idea of the amount of editing and copyediting and proofread- afterwards. That was also the great Tolkien-clone epic fantasy doorstopper
ing that has to go between the writing and the publication, because I was era. That was a genre that didn’t initially appeal to me, so I wasn’t reading
doing some of it. a lot of it. The New Wave and New Wave-influenced books from the UK
‘‘My first actual publication was a short story in a local newspaper – in appealed to me more. I remember reading Moorcock, Harrison, Jeff Noon,
the kids’ section, the creativity section – when I was maybe 13 or 14, which and Paul McAuley.
was quite rare for me. I didn’t have a lot of short stories published after that,  p. 70

28 / LOCUS December 2024 LOCUS December 2024 / 29

T
he 50th World Fantasy Convention was ‘‘AI Audio’’ presented by Shiromi Arserio, Tim Waggoner (m), and E. Lily Yu; and ‘‘AI in Fantasy Art’’ with Galen The guests of honor were introduced and spoke to different areas of
held as a hybrid event October 17-20, Mark Leslie, Diana Pho (moderator), and Dara, Sara Felix, Michael Kucharski (m), and Ruth Sanderson. speculative fiction. Heather Graham warmly described the welcome she
2024, with the in-person portion held Robert Morrisey; and a guest spotlight on There were over 80 readings, comparable to previous years. This year’s received at her first World Fantasy convention. Scott H. Andrews stressed
at the Sheraton Niagara Falls and Niagara toastmaster Michael Swanwick, conducted by readers included Julie E. Czerneda, Joe Haldeman, Jay Hartlove, Rachael the need for genre publishing to increase the financial accessibility of
Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls NY. Marianne Porter. Opening Ceremonies were K. Jones, Cleoniki Kesidis, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Tim Waggoner, and a its editorial positions, especially in the short fiction market. Galen Dara
Guests of honor were Scott H. Andrews, Galen held at 8:00 that evening. 40th-anniversary reading of Moonheart by Charles de Lint. Programming acknowledged science fiction and fantasy as major forces that encourage
Dara, and Heather Graham, with toastmaster The program schedule for the convention also included several table talks, literary beers, and guest spotlights. humanity to imagine different global possibilities in times of crisis.
Michael Swanwick. P. Djèlí Clark was a special listed 34 panel discussions covering topics The main hall, the ‘‘Event Center,’’ housed the art show, dealer’s room, Special guest P. Djèlí Clark thanked the convention staff for their efforts
guest, and Life Achievement Awards winners of craft, industry, criticism, and analysis of table talks, and autographing. The art show took place in about a quarter and organization, and expressed the need for the convention to expand its
were Ginjer Buchanan and Jo Fletcher. The contemporary genre fiction. ‘‘Is This the of the Event Center space, with 29 artists displaying work for a total of 439 efforts to include creators and fans of color. ‘‘Work must continue in earnest
theme was ‘‘Borders, Boundaries, and Portals.’’ Queerest Era of Horror and Fantasy?’’ featured pieces exhibited and 159 pieces sold. ‘‘Wisdom Tree’’ by Vincent Villafranca and with vigilance... if we are to survive,’’ he said. He noted the awards have
The con reported around 670 total mem- Kerry C. Byrne, Catherine Lundoff, Marisca was voted Best in Show. introduced some welcome changes, like replacing the ‘‘creepy’’ bust of H.P.
berships registered for the convention, with Pichette, April Steenburgh (m), and Cecilia The dealer’s room was next to the art show. It wasn’t booming, but Lovecraft with the newer tree design, and stressed the importance of trying
550 warm bodies present. These numbers Tan; ‘‘Non-European Fantasy and Horror’’ enough dealers were present to fill about a quarter of the room, including out and learning from different movements towards greater inclusiveness.
were up from the 2023 hybrid World Fantasy featured P. Djèlí Clark, Robert Knowlton, Amazing Stories, Atthis Arts, Brain Lag, Fairwood Press, Rosarium Press, Gordon Van Gelder presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards to Gin-
Convention, which saw 652 total member- Tobi Ogundiran, Melissa Ren, and David Stelliform Press, Tachyon Publishers, Locus, and the Niagara Falls Public jer Buchanan and Jo Fletcher. In her acceptance speech, Buchanan drew on
ships and 400 warm bodies at the con proper. Stokes (moderator); and ‘‘Fantastical Pulp Library. Foot traffic and sales were slow this year: There were no busy times the film Everything Everywhere All at Once, imagining different life paths
GoHs Scott H. Andrews, Galen Dara, Heather Graham,
(World Fantasy attendance has yet to reach Special Guest Phenderson Djèlí Clark, Toastmaster Lives!’’ featured Teel James Glenn (m), Eileen in the room and sales were super light. Some dealers thought the layout and parallel universes, including one in which she never became an editor
prepandemic levels; the 2019 convention saw Michael Swanwick Gunn, Stephen Jones, Sam Robb, and Darrell affected the foot traffic. at Ace. But she concluded that the best path – which brought her to many
660 warm bodies out of 762 memberships Schweitzer. Returning on opening Thursday The mass autograph session was held on Friday October 18, at 8:00 p.m. continents, new friends, and late husband John R. Douglas – was this one.
purchased. The 2021 convention, held when people were just beginning to was the ever-popular ‘‘Brandon O’Brien’s Fantastical Speculative Open Mic and featured over 140 individuals. Signers included Ellen Datlow, Charles Jo Fletcher thanked the judges and convention voters, as well as many
go to events again, had 470 registered members.) Night,’’ at which anyone could read their work. There was also a festive and de Lint, Joe Haldeman, Ai Jiang, Mur Lafferty, Tobi Ogundiran, Sarah editors and mentors in the field, and spoke of the friendliness and construc-
Con-goers received a large, black canvas, complimentary book bag well-attended karaoke night in the Cataract Room, which did double duty Pinsker, Moses Utomi, Martha Wells, A.C. Wise, Tao Wong, and Jason A. tive nature of the community. ‘‘When I knew nothing, you shared with me
filled with titles donated by publishers and authors. They also received the as bar and hangout lounge throughout the con. Wykoff, among many others. your knowledge, your love of the genre... . We help each other; we men-
full-sized, slick, perfect-bound souvenir book, which featured cover art by The schedule also included panels on industry trends and business- The Sidewise Awards for Alternate History were not presented at the tor each other, even if we don’t know we’re doing it.’’ Both Buchanan and
artist GoH Dara; the committee list; the World Fantasy Award nominations oriented topics – such as ‘‘Trad Publishing 101’’ with Jen Albert, Jo Fletcher World Fantasy Convention this year; instead, they were presented this past Fletcher spoke warmly of their friendship with each other and the support
and honorees; appreciations and bibliographies for the toastmaster, GoHs, (m), Heather Graham, Amara Hoshijo, and Diana Pho; and ‘‘Writing August at Glasgow Worldcon. they had found in each other throughout the years.
special guests, featured guest, and Life Achievement Awards winners; an in Workshops – Do They Work?’’ with Matthew Kressel, Stephanie Morris (m), Toastmaster Michael Swanwick honored the year’s judges, comparing
memoriam; plus written pieces and a gallery section of work by the guests. Sam W. Pisciotta, Emily Skaftun, Rosemary Claire Smith, and James Van AWARDS BANQUET the act of judging the year’s best works to standing in front of a ‘‘fire hose’’:
Pelt. Several panels contended with the growing role of AI in the creative The World Fantasy Awards were held on Sunday, October 20, at 1:00 p.m. Douglas A. Anderson, Stephanie Feldman, Thomas Olde Heuvelt, Pat
CONVENTION NOTES industries, like the aforementioned ‘‘AI Audio’’, as well as ‘‘AI in Fantasy and Approximately 90 people attended the banquet, with a larger crowd coming Murphy, and Dr. Angela Slatter.
Programming began on the morning of Thursday the 17th, with the panel Horror Literature’’ with Scot Noel, Leslye Penelope, Joyce Reynolds-Ward, in for the awards after the dinner was finished. 

Ellen Klages, Joe Haldeman, Gerald Brandt, Cecilia Tan, Rosemary Claire Smith, Therese Pieczynski,
Gay Haldeman, Ginjer Buchanan Bev Geddes A.T. Greenblatt Pat Murphy
Sonja Ryst, Hildy Silverman Jenna Hanchey, Will McMahon, GoH Scott H. Andrews Sara Felix, Dale K. Hanes, Gary K. Wolfe

Dominick Rabrun & Leslye Penelope Peter Schneider & Jennifer Brehl Betsy Wollheim & Peter Stampfel Diana M. Pho, Lark Morgan Lu Susan Forest, James Alan Gardner, Mark Leslie Patrick Swenson, Gordon Van Gelder, Jacob Weisman Martha Wells, Lee Harris
30 / LOCUS December 2024 LOCUS December 2024 / 31
GoH Galen Dara,
Vincent Villafranca Derek Ford, Jeffrey Ford, Ellen Datlow Stephanie Feldman, Michael Kelly

World Fantasy Convention cated the award to her mother, who passed on a love of books and reading.
 Audrey Benjaminsen won the award for Best Artist. Dara read a speech
on Benjaminsen’s behalf: ‘‘In this fast-paced world, I hope to contribute
The first World Fantasy Award of the evening, Special Award, Non- something helpful, slower, and more romantic in the hopes of seeing our
Professional, went to Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas lives more enriched with some of [these] qualities.’’
for Uncanny magazine. The award was accepted on their behalf by A. T. Best Collection went to No One Will Come Back for Us and Other
Greenblatt, who read their speech thanking their staff members and reader Stories by Premee Mohamed. Mohamed, not present, accepted the award
community, symbolized by the Space Unicorn mascot. They also thanked through her editor, Michael Kelly. She thanked her editors and team for their
their late daughter for the love and inspiration she brought to their lives. work in the difficult task of bringing short fiction to the world.
‘‘The Space Unicorn was always Caitlin.’’ Best Anthology went to The Book of Witches, edited by Jonathan Strahan
The Special Award, Professional went to Locus’s own editor-in-chief Liza (another Locus figure!). Strahan, not present, was ‘‘jumping up and down
Groen Trombi for her work on the magazine. ‘‘We’re a small staff but a large celebrating on the other side of the world’’ while Gary K. Wolfe delivered
community,’’ she said, and was thankful for the award as a ‘‘vote of confi- his acceptance speech, thanking Strahan’s contributors and team at Harper
dence’’ for coverage of the genre community and publishing. She thanked Voyager.
the Locus staff and all the people who are part of the magazine, and dedi- The award for Best Short Fiction was presented to Nghi Vo for ‘‘Silk and
Cotton and Linen and Blood’’. Vo was not present, but the award
was accepted on her behalf by Scott H. Andrews.
The World Fantasy Award for novella went to ‘‘Half the House
Is Haunted’’ by Josh Malerman. The award was accepted on Maler-
man’s behalf by Graham, who read his acceptance speech. Malerman
commended the Dracula’s Castle haunted house experience in host
city Niagara Falls, and reminded the audience to stay positive: ‘‘if
half the house is haunted, half the house is not.’’
The Best Novel Award went to The Reformatory by Tananarive
Due. Due delivered her speech virtually. ‘‘The Reformatory took
me seven years to write, longer than any of my other novels,’’ she
said. She spoke about how the story was inspired by her great uncle
Robert Stevens’s death at the Dozier School for Boys, and how the
elements of a ghost story let her create a novel that would provide
hope amidst the ‘‘horror of history.’’ She credited her team at Saga,
and her father and late mother for their support.
The next World Fantasy Convention is scheduled to be held at
the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole in Brighton UK,
from October 30 – November 2, 2025. The themes will be ‘‘Lyri-
cal Fantasy’’ and ‘‘50 Years of British Fantasy and Horror’’. Guests
of honor and special guests have yet to be announced. For more:
Roshani Anandappa, Special Guest Phenderson Djèlí Clark, <worldfantasy2025.co.uk/>.
Mary Anne Mohanraj Bill Campbell –Maya St. Clair

Toastmaster Michael Swanwick & Marianne Porter, Dennis Pozzessere &

Robert J. Sawyer & Carolyn Clink GoH Heather Graham Alan Smale, Steven H Silver, Rick Wilber
32 / LOCUS December 2024
 Sharon Shinn, Ginny Logan AKA Lauren C. Teffeau,
Tobi Ogundiran, P.A. Cornell Mandy Slater, Ian Drury, Stephen Jones, Jo Fletcher Virginia Smith Fran Wilde

Brandon O'Brien, Andrea Blythe,

Holly Lyn Walrath Jack Skillingstead & Nancy Kress, Ruth Sanderson Maurice Broaddus, Mur Lafferty

Melinda Mitchell, Emily C. Skaftun Christine Taylor-Butler, Jay Hartlove Costi Gurgu, John Kessel

Glennis LeBlanc, Laura Anne Gilman, Mari Kotani &

Rina Weisman Takayuki Tatsumi Sharon Mannell, Derwin Mak Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Charles de Lint

Eileen Gunn, Madeleine E. Robins, Shirley Meier, Briar Jane Parker, Registration: Karen Fishwick, Don Weimer,
April Steenburgh Co-Chair Debi Chowdhury Gabi Morel, Stacy Masiello
LOCUS December 2024 / 33
 GoHs Diana M. Pho, Jennifer Brozek, Sarah Gailey, Arley Sorg
The Terror of the Everyday’’ with David Demchuk, Sarah
Gailey, Ai Jiang, and Matt Moore; plus pitch sessions with
agents and editors. Additional options included the book
launch of Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fic-

C
an*Con 2024 was held November 1-3 in person at the tion, signings, reading parties, the BIPOC hangout, and
Sheraton Hotel in Ottawa, Canada. Guests of honour were writing workshops.
Jennifer Brozek, Sarah Gailey, Diana M. Pho, Waubgeshig The dealers’ room had 25 vendors including Bakka Phoe-
Rice, and Arley Sorg. A separate virtual Can*Con was held on nix, Wolsak & Wynn, Little Ghosts Books, and Augur, with
April 20 with roughly one hundred attendees. goods like books, jewelry, dice, and accessories.
There were 400 in-person registered attendees. Programming The next in-person Can*Con will take place October 17-
featured 115 panelists and 107 items on writing, literature, 19, 2025, with Guests of Honour Kate Heartfield, Stephen
and more, such as ‘‘Post-Colonial Perspectives on the Post- Kotowych, and Premee Mohamed at the Brookstreet Hotel
Apocalypse’’ with Ariel Kroon, Tiffany Morris, Suzan Palumbo, Ottawa. Virtual Can*Con is April 12, 2025 with guests of
and Waubgeshig Rice; ‘‘Climate Fiction: Existential Anxiety or honour to be announced in 2025. For more information,
Inspiration?’’ with Ben Berman Ghan, Selena Middleton, Suyi visit the Can*Con site: <can-con.org>.
Davies Okungbowa, and Su J. Sokol; and ‘‘Mundane Horror: GoH Waubgeshig Rice –Arley Sorg

Readers from the Sunday Reading Salon: front, Ben Berman

Chair Marie Bilodeau, Ghan, Madona Skaff-Koren, back, Hayden Trenholm, Tiffany Organizing committee members: Evan May, Cortni Fernandez,
Vice Chair Brandon Crilly Morris, Carolyne Topdjian, Ai Jiang, Carolyn Charron Brandon Crilly, Erin Rockfort

34 / LOCUS December 2024

 I start with rough sketches using pencil on paper As a teacher of Imaginative Art & Illustration,
(currently this is how I think best, plus there’s no how do you go about teaching art students to
low battery warning). I explore different aspects create fantastical images? How does teaching
of an idea, thinking about mood and storytelling. influence your own work?
I try out different gestures, compositions, value
design. The roughs start around 1" x 2" and get I encourage students to use their imaginations
larger as I develop the image. Through the process, and coach them through the process I use. I
I hone the composition to a few different options, ask them to try all the steps, then they can take
and refine them to make them presentable to a what works for them and leave the rest. We talk
client, not fully rendered but understandable by about visual storytelling, focus on their intent for
others. After a sketch is approved, I hire someone their picture, and suggest what tools they might

H
to pose and I gather other reference use to bring their image
er imagination, creativity, and thirst for so I can make the final tight drawing closer to that intent. These
learning have been near-constant com- believable. Next, I do color sketches, tools include various com-
panions, but artist/illustrator Christine choosing color to fit the mood. Once positional principles and
Mitzuk didn’t initially consider working as an artist. a direction is approved by the client, elements, gesture, value
Her career started after college while working as I paint digitally in a similar way to design and lighting, color,
a production artist and graphic designer at a few how I paint in oils. I start ‘‘thin,’’ like using reference or not.
design and marketing firms for about seven years. a wash, and build up to more opaque What I tell students of-
She gained insight into client work and procedures paint. For client work, I tend to paint ten ends up as a lesson for
to help a project flow along. As a freelance artist digitally because it’s easier to make myself too. I’m frequently
she uses several of these skills to understand the edits and I don’t need to figure in time reminded of things like,
needs of a project/client, and to work with digital for scanning and color correction. ‘‘What serves the picture?
tools. Clients include Llewellyn Worldwide, Bezier This process serves several purpos- When do we call it done?’’
Games, Petersen Games, Fantasy Flight Games, es: It allows me to immerse myself in And encouragement to sit
Baen, and Lightspeed. She also explores various the idea, and it gives us check-in points with the fear of ‘‘doing it
themes and humor in her personal work. Follow to make sure we’re on the same page. wrong’’ and just try things
her on Instagram (@cmitzuk) and visit <www. out. It’s A-OK when im-
christinemitzuk.com>. How do you keep it fresh for yourself ages start rough (I think
and keep learning new techniques most people’s images start
What was your introduction to working in the and improving your craft? Have rough), just get the idea out.
field of science fiction and fantasy art? What were there been any recent changes or Nurture Your Magic It’s a starting point.
the influences that drew you in? discoveries in your art process, or I use Photoshop and
do you feel settled into something that’s really Affinity Photo to do paint-overs/make visual
I’ve always explored my imagination a lot, but I working for you already? notes about edits to make. These often turn into
hadn’t really thought of sci-fi/fantasy art as a field mini demonstrations about painting or the
I could go into. Some favorite influences that come There’s always something to learn and I enjoy that’s programs I use.
to mind are anything by Jim Henson and Hiero- part of the job. I like to use different media for dif-
nymus Bosch, Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel ferent personal projects: ink, gouache, sculpting. Is there something about what you do as an
Silverstein, Bill Peet (The Pinkish, Purplish, Blu- Recently I participated in a 21-day create challenge artist working in the SF/F field, or an upcoming
ish Egg; The Whingdingdilly). I was drawn into through the Unleash Creativity Club. I liked it project, that you’d like to tell our readers about?
the sci-fi/fantasy field because my a lot. The goal for me
partner at the time (now spouse) wasn’t to finish some- For my personal work, I like to explore different
introduced me to the wonderful thing every day. I didn’t themes, techniques, and materials. I’ve done
world of sci-fi/fantasy conventions. have a plan of what I some things in ink, watercolor, gouache, oil
The first one I went to with him was going to make. The paint, digital. And I’ve sculpted some cabinet
was Minicon 50 here in Minnesota. idea was just do some- doorknobs for our kitchen (why have a non-
It was great to see so many people thing every day, show descript metal pull when you could have a pig
being themselves sharing their love up and make marks on wearing a porkpie hat). I like it best when I’m
of all things sci-fi/fantasy, and the the page. Sometimes the professionally playful. That means I try to keep
art show was stellar. It was a while result was very abstract, an open mind as I explore and experiment with
later, thanks to Ruth Thompson, sometimes it was bare- initial sketches, being open to possibilities. It also
who was a guest at CONvergence ly started, sometimes means catching myself when I get stuck in rules
one year, that I began to really I’d start with a general of how something ‘‘should’’ be done.
think I would give it a shot. Her idea of what I would do Currently I’m exploring a few different themes
story and enthusiasm were very but made decisions in in my own work. I don’t know where I’ll land with
inspiring. the moment. I enjoyed all of these, but I’m enjoying exploring. Some of
that. I felt a freedom them are dramatic (my butterflies and lanterns
What does your workflow look in that and I think it series), some are playful. All are me.
like from concept to realization? can strengthen artistic –Christine Mitzuk 
Any unusual techniques? Protector intuition.
LOCUS December 2024 / 35
T
he 28th ICon was held October 20-22, 20- should serve as either prophets of doom or ones of short genre films made by Bezalel students,
24 in Tel Aviv, Israel, and included almost foreseeing the possibility of a better world. some of them followed by a discussion with the
350 panels, lectures, workshops, games, In the more realistic context, one lecture dealt moviemakers. One of these was of children’s films.
and roleplaying. Some 11,000 tickets were sold with the techniques of modern-day con-artist Some of the events were dedicated to issues
to the different events. In each of the three days, ‘‘prophets.’’ Another, given by the archeologist unique to Israel. These ranged from what would
at a certain point, entrance to the venue had to be Dr. Yael Abad-Reiss and her daughter, presented constitute an Israeli mythology to the right
restricted to those who had tickets, because the ancient divination techniques practiced all over products and techniques when using makeup
1,800 people limit on premises, set for health and the world from China to the Americas. A special for LARPs or cosplay in the hot and sometimes
safety reasons, was reached. workshop for children focused on the reasons humid Israeli climate.
The main theme of ICon this year was ‘‘proph- and techniques of telling the future using coffee One of the highlights of ICon this year was
esies,’’ and there were events both on prophesies residue and the way smoke curls. ‘‘Universecon 2398’’, a staged reading of a story
in literature, film, and gaming, as well as the role Israeli fandom has been paying more attention written and directed by Rotem Baruchin, which
they played, and still play, in different societies. to such events for children over the past few years. was put on three times. The exhausted people
The genre events covered topics from the ‘‘scien- ICon has become a place where, in the con ops producing Universecon in the 24th century must
tific’’ prophecies of Hari Seldon in the Foundation room, you are likely to hear discussions among deal with presenters that didn’t bother to let them
novels and the mechanisms set up to make them the personnel on ways to get their young babies know in advance what they need (where the hell
come true, through the importance of prophesies to try new tastes and food textures. The fandom can you find pens, the ones with the ink and all?!),
in the Buffyverse, to the role of Bruno Madrigal is still rather young, but if we want to have people AI generated ‘‘people’’ that pester the audience,
and his visions of the future in Encanto. A few continue to come to cons, we have to take into and a dragon catching on fire. And there is still
panels discussed the complex relations between account the fact that they are starting families. the closing ceremony to come.
science fiction and looking to the future, such as This shift was also evident in a new cooperation –Ehud Maimon
one that brought up the question of whether, in between ICon and the Bezalel Academy of Arts
a world going through a climate crisis, SF writers and Design. This year ICon had three screenings Photos by Aya Shimanovski, Kai Dekel

How to Start Writing panel: Gye Ronen, Lili Dei, Efrat Pauker, Almog Cohen, Fallen Angels Gameshow: Daniel Fidelman, Dr. Ayal Hayut-Man,
Bar Fischbein Judith Kagan, Mayan Rogel, Tom Sivan

The DM Next Door podcast recording:

The Contributions of Arab Science Tehilahaya Rak, Thai Divone, Chen Ganot,
LARPers in action Fiction: Khadīja Mirʿī, Dr. Eisām Asāqlī Liad Lerner, Idan Karev, Raz Kolodni

36 / LOCUS December 2024

 the cover, the endpapers, the edges, the ‘‘naked’’ using higher quality materials and feature some
hardback – just like a publisher would do for a extraordinary art. We’ve recently finished The
cover brief. When we’ve got all the different pieces Old Kingdom series (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen)
ready, our brilliant in-house designers bring it all by Garth Nix, complete with beautiful slipcases
together to create a truly spectacular package! and incredible Tommy Arnold wraparound
covers – they are some of my favourite books
You’ve expanded over the years to offer several we’ve designed.
different subscription options. What choices
are available to your subscribers? You now also run Daphne Press. What prompt-
ed you to start your own genre publisher?
As we grew, we wanted our offering to grow
with our audience and the reading tastes of We as a team felt that we had a good understand-
the Illumicrate team. Our main subscription, ing of what our readers want to read, and we
Illumicrate, is fantasy focussed, and we offer a wanted more flexibility in what we could offer,
book-only and a book and merchandise option. so Daphne Press was born in early 2023. Our
These boxes have everything in them from fluffy main aim with Daphne Press has always been
Daphne Tonge is the founder and CEO of Illumi- socks, to mugs, to replica weapons – and of to publish books creatively in a way that uplifts
crate, the UK's first specialist book subscription box. course our book pots. Then there’s Afterlight, our underrepresented voices. At the time we started
She is also the founder and MD of Daphne Press, a monthly contemporary romance box; Evernight, planning, science fiction and fantasy (SFF) was
science fiction and fantasy publisher. She's judged our quarterly horror box; and Starbright, our still relatively small in terms of UK market share.
for book prizes and is an event chair. Previously, brand-new quarterly science fiction subscription We wanted to create another option for those
she was an award-winning book blogger. She lives launching in February! authors, and it has been a real privilege to help
in London, but is Chinese-Filipino born and was them get their words to our readers
raised in Manila. What are some of your most noteworthy pack- In our first year, we’ve been lucky enough to
ages over the years? Do you have a personal have published several Sunday Times bestsell-
Tell us about your book subscription box ser- favorite? ers such as The Sun and the Void by Gabriela
vice, Illumicrate. When was it founded, what Romero Lacruz and A Dark and Drowning
inspired you to start it, and how does it work? One thing I’ve loved about Illumicrate is the way Tide by Allison Saft, and bestselling authors
we can always push the boundaries with book like Susan Dennard, Andrew Joseph White,
In 2011, I started a book blog. I was lucky enough design. I’m a particular fan of using interesting and Wesley Chu. We’re so grateful to everyone
to be based in London, so I was able to go to a lot materials or techniques, like see-through acetate for the support.
of in-person events and meet authors, other blog- covers or die cuts, to really enhance the design.
gers, publishing professionals – and learn more We did an edition of Starling House by Alix E. What else is in store for the future? Will you
about how books are made. When subscription Harrow with an acetate dust jacket which let us continue to expand your offerings?
boxes started taking off in 2015, I thought it would peer through the flock of birds to the house on
be great to do something similar for books. the case behind. I’m thrilled that Illumicrate is launching Star-
Illumicrate started in my living room as a cu- With our Deluxe Editions, these are made bright, our quarterly science fiction subscrip-
rated box of books and merchandise, giving tion. We’ve always been huge sci-fi readers
me a new way to connect with my book at Illumicrate and we are delighted to be
blogging audience and reach like-minded able to give the genre space to shine. The
readers. It’s evolved a lot since then, and book-only subscription will start in Febru-
now each book we sell is a special edition, ary 2025 and feature newly released titles
with exclusive artwork, beautiful edges, and with exclusive customisations – and we’ve
bonus content whenever possible. We now already got some great titles lined up.
have four subscription options across differ- On the Daphne Press side, we have some
ent genres, as well as offering special editions very exciting debut titles in the pipeline for
through our online shop. next year! Seven Recipes for Revolution
by Ryan Rose is The Bear meets Attack on
You create lavish deluxe editions of the Titan in an exhilarating, food-based epic
books you choose. How does the design fantasy filled with high stakes and monster
process work? steaks, perfect for fans of Pierce Brown and
Jay Kristoff. Then we have Danielle Knight’s
This part of the job is extremely fun! The A Rather Vengeful Accord, a rivals-to-lov-
team starts off by reading the selected manu- ers dark academia fantasy of necromancers
scripts and picking out all the elements that and gladiatorial combat against eldritch
combine to make great boxes and books: abominations, perfect for fans of Gideon
themes, settings, key scenes – as well as the the Ninth and A Deadly Education. We
general feel of the book. Once we have those, can’t wait to see what readers think!
we think of artists who would be a good fit, –Daphne Tonge 
and then we brief the different elements –

LOCUS December 2024 / 37

 FORTHCOMING BOOKS

This list includes current or up- SELECTED BOOKS BY AUTHOR tp, eb)
coming US and UK books com- CASSANDRA CLARE
bined (UK publishers are marked The Ragpicker King, Penguin
‘‘UK’’) that we haven't seen yet. In 2025 (hc, eb) TERRY BROOKS Random House/Del Rey, Mar
the case of publishers that export CHARLIE JANE ANDERS Galaphile, Penguin Random 2025 (hc, eb)
books to the other market (same Lessons in Magic and Disaster, House/Del Rey, Mar 2025 (hc, eb) The Ragpicker King, Macmillan/
ISBN in both the US and UK), Tor, Aug 2025 (hc, eb) CAMILLA BRUCE Tor UK, Mar 2025 (hc, eb)
we list them as from the country KEVIN J. ANDERSON At the Bottom of the Garden, P. DJÈLÍ CLARK
of origin; notably UK publishers Stiffs & Stones, WordFire Press, Penguin Random House/Del Rey, Abeni and the Kingdom of Gold,
Angry Robot, Rebellion/Solaris, Mar 2025 (c, tp, hc, eb) Jan 2025 (tp, eb) Tor/Starscape, Apr 2025 (hc, eb)
and Titan. NEAL ASHER STEPHANIE BURGIS GENEVIEVE COGMAN
Hardcover and trade paperback Dark Diamond, Macmillan/Tor Wooing the Witch Queen, Mac- Damned, Macmillan/Tor UK, May
books are so noted. If there is no UK, Apr 2025 (hc, eb) millan/Tor Bramble UK, Feb 2025 2025 (hc, eb)
indication, books are mass market EDWARD ASHTON (v, tp, eb) C.S.E. COONEY
paperbacks or we’re not sure. The Fourth Consort, St. Martin’s, Wooing the Witch Queen, Tor/ Saint Death’s Herald, Rebellion/
There are two lists: the first, Feb 2025 (hc, eb) Bramble, Feb 2025 (v, tp, eb) Solaris UK, Apr 2025 (tp, eb)
selected titles, all originals, ar- The Fourth Consort, Rebellion/ JAMES J. BUTCHER BRENDA COOPER
ranged alphabetically by author. Solaris UK, Feb 2025 (tp, eb) Cold Iron Task, Ace, Mar 2025 When Mothers Dream, Fairwood
This listing includes simultaneous NATHAN BALLINGRUD (hc, eb) Press, Aug 2025 (c, tp)
UK & US publications and 1st US Cathedral of the Drowned, Titan Chaos King, Faber & Faber, Feb JULIE E. CZERNEDA
editions. The second listing is Books UK, Aug 2025 (na, h, hc, eb) 2025 (ya, hc, eb) A Shift of Time, Astra House/
complete, arranged by publisher Cathedral of the Drowned, Tor/ PATRICE CALDWELL DAW, Jul 2025 (tp, eb)
and by month. Nightfire, Aug 2025 (na, h, tp, eb) Where Shadows Meet, St. Mar- DELILAH S. DAWSON
This listing contains about 1,950 CLIVE BARKER tin’s/Wednesday Books, Apr 2025 House of Idyll, Titan Books UK,
titles, approximately 1,300 of them Jump Tribe, Subterranean Press, (ya, v, hc, eb) Sep 2025 (h, hc, eb)
originals. Mar 2025 (c, hc, eb) KACEN CALLENDER TRACY DEONN
We try to keep our database as STEPHEN BAXTER Chaos King, Tor Teen, Apr 2025 Oathbound, Simon & Schuster,
accurate and up-to-date as pos- Hearthspace, Orion UK/ (ya, hc, eb) Mar 2025 (ya, hc, eb)
sible. Please send corrections and Gollancz, Sep 2025 (hc, eb) Chaos King, Faber & Faber, Feb CORY DOCTOROW
updates to Carolyn Cushman at AGUSTINA BAZTERRICA 2025 (ya, hc, eb) Picks and Shovels, Bloomsbury
<[email protected]>. The list The Unworthy, Simon & Schus- JACK CAMPBELL UK/Head of Zeus/Ad Astra, Jan
is tentative and subject to change. ter/Scribner, Mar 2025 (tp, eb) Destiny’s Way, Titan Books UK, 2025 (hc, eb)
Unless otherwise noted, books ELIZABETH BEAR Feb 2025 (tp, eb) Picks and Shovels, Tor, Feb 2025
are originals. (a) associa­tion­ The Folded Sky, Simon & Schus- Destiny’s Way, Ace, Feb 2025 (1st US, hc, eb)
al, (an) anthology, (art) art and ter/Saga Press, Jun 2025 (tp, eb) (hc, eb) IAN DOUGLAS
other, (b) biography, (bx) boxed The Folded Sk y, Orion UK / ISABEL CAÑAS Galaxy Raiders: Abyss, Harper
set. (c) collection, (eb) ebook, Gollancz, Jun 2025 (tp, eb) The Possession of Alba Díaz, Voyager US, Feb 2025 (tp, eb)
(gn) graphic novel, (h) horror, (hc) ROBERT JACKSON BENNETT Penguin Random House/Berkley, SARAH BETH DURST
hardcover, (na) novella, (nf) non- A Drop of Corruption, Penguin Aug 2025 (h, hc, eb) The Enchanted Greenhouse,
fiction, (nv) novelette, (oa) original Random House/Del Rey, Apr M.R. CAREY Tor/Bramble, Jul 2025 (v, hc, eb)
anthology, (oc) original collection, 2025 (hc, eb) Once Was Willem, Orbit UK, Mar OGHENECHOVWE DONALD EK-
(om) omnibus, (pb) paperback, A Drop of Corruption, Hodder & 2025 (hc, eb) PEKI & CHINAZA EZIAGHIGHA-
(ph) pamphlet, (pi) pictoral and Stoughton UK/Hodderscape, Apr Once Was Willem, Orbit US, Mar LABY, EDS.
other, (pm) poetry, (r) reprint, (ss) 2025 (hc, eb) 2025 (tp, eb) The Year’s Best African Specu-
short story, (tp) trade paperback, JEDEDIAH BERRY V. CASTRO lative Fiction (2023), Arc Manor/
(v) paranormal romance, (x) media The Naming Song, Titan Books Maria the Wanted, Titan Books Caezik SF & Fantasy, Dec 2024
tie-in, (ya) young adult. UK, Mar 2025 (1st UK, tp,eb) UK, Jun 2025 (h, tp, eb) (an, tp, eb)
NICHOLAS BINGE The Pink Agave Motel and KATE ELLIOTT
JOE ABERCROMBIE Extremity, Tordotcom, Sep 2025 Other Stories, Clash Books, Mar The Witch Roads, Tor, Jun 2025
The Devils, Orion UK/Gollancz, (na, hc, eb) 2025 (c, tp, eb) (hc, eb)
May 2025 (hc, eb) OLIVIE BLAKE VAJRA CHANDRASEKERA AMAL EL-MOHTAR
The Devils, Tor, May 2025 (hc, eb) Gifted & Talented, Macmillan/ Rakesfall, Rebellion/Solaris UK, The River Has Roots, Tordotcom,
KATHERINE ADDISON Tor UK, Apr 2025 (hc, eb) Apr 2025 (1st UK, tp, eb) Mar 2025 (na, hc, eb)
The Orb of Cairado, Subter- Gifted & Talented, Tor, Apr 2025 CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN HEATHER FAWCETT
ranean Press, Jan 2025 (na, hc) (hc, eb) Wake Up and Open Your Eyes, Emily Wilde’s Compendium of
The Tomb of Dragons, Rebel- KRISTEN BRITAIN Quirk Books, Jan 2025 (h, hc, eb) Lost Tales, Penguin Random
lion/Solaris UK, Mar 2025 (tp, eb) Falling in a Sea of Stars, DAW, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes, House/Del Rey, Feb 2025 (hc, eb)
The Tomb of Dragons, Tor, Mar Sep 2025 (hc, eb) Titan Books UK, Jan 2025 (h, ISAAC FELLMAN

38 / LOCUS December 2024

 FORTHCOMING BOOKS

Notes from a Regicide, Tor, Apr Macmillan/Tor Nightfire UK, Jan Hemlock & Silver, Tor/Bramble, House/Delacorte, Aug 2025 (ya,
2025 (hc, eb) 2025 (h, hc, eb) Aug 2025 (hc, eb) hc, eb)
ERIC FLINT & IVER P. COOPER VERONICA G. HENRY Swordheart, Tor/Bramble, Feb MARINA LOSTETTER
1637: The Pacific Initiative, A Breathless Sky, 2025 (v, hc, eb) The Teeth of Dawn, Tor, Jan 2025
Baen, Mar 2025 (tp, eb) Amazon/47North, Dec 2024 (tp, DEAN KOONTZ (hc, eb)
ERIC FLINT & WALTER H. HUNT eb) Going Home in the Dark, Ama- JEFFREY ALAN LOVE
1637: The French Connection, JIM C. HINES zon/Thomas & Mercer, May 2025 The Last Battle at the End of
Baen, Mar 2025 (hc, eb) Kitemaster, Arc Manor/Caezik (h, hc, eb) the World, Flesk Publications,
DANIEL M. FORD SF & Fantasy, Apr 2025 (tp, eb) MARY ROBINETTE KOWAL Apr 2025 (gn, art, tp, hc)
Advocate, Tor, Apr 2025 (hc, CHARLIE N. HOLMBERG The Martian Contingency, Tor, JONATHAN MABERRY
tp, eb) Wizard of Most Wicked Ways, Mar 2025 (tp, hc, eb) Burn to Shine, St. Martin’s Grif-
LAURIE FOREST Amazon/47North, Mar 2025 (tp, R.F. KUANG fin, Mar 2025 (h, tp, eb)
The Dryad Storm, HarperCollins, eb) Katabasis, Harper Voyager US, Mystic, WordFire Press, Dec
Jan 2025 (ya, hc, eb) TANYA HUFF Aug 2025 (hc, eb) 2024 (h, tp, hc, eb)
SARAH GAILEY Direct Descendant, Astra Katabasis, Harper Voyager UK, GREGORY MAGUIRE
Spread Me, Tor/Nightfire, Sep House/DAW, Apr 2025 (h, hc, eb) Aug 2025 (hc, eb) Elphie, HarperCollins/Morrow,
2025 (h, hc, eb) K. IBURA MERCEDES LACKEY Mar 2025 (hc, eb)
GERVASIO GALLARDO Tempest, HarperCollins/Quill Miss Amelia’s List, Titan Books HELEN MARSHALL
A Life in Art, Centipede Press, Tree, Jun 2025 (ya, hc, eb) UK, Dec 2024 (pb, eb) The Lady, the Tiger, and the Girl
Dec 2024 (pi, art, hc) AI JIANG Miss Amelia’s List, Astra House/ Who Loved Death, Titan Books
JOSHUA GLENN, ED. A Palace Near the Wind: Natu- DAW, Dec 2024 (hc, eb) UK, Jun 2025 (pb, eb)
Before Superman: Superhu- ral Engines, Titan Books UK, Apr MERCEDES LACKEY & LARRY GEORGE R.R. MARTIN
mans of the Radium Age, MIT 2025 (hc, eb) DIXON George R.R. Martin Presents
Press, Aug 2025 (an, tp, eb) KATHLEEN JENNINGS Gryphon’s Valor, Titan Books Wild Cards: House Rules, Pen-
CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN Honeyeater, Tordotcom, Sep UK, Jun 2025 (hc, eb) guin Random House/Bantam,
The Night Birds, St. Martin’s, 2025 (hc, eb) Gryphon’s Valor, Astra House/ Feb 2025 (oa, hc, eb)
May 2025 (1st UK, h, pb, eb) STEPHEN GRAHAM JONES DAW, Jun 2025 (hc, eb) SEANAN MCGUIRE
The Night Birds, Titan Books UK, The Babysitter Lives, Titan MUR LAFFERTY Adrift in Currents Clean and
Sep 2025 (1st UK, h, pb, eb) Books UK, Jul 2025 (na, h, tp, eb) Infinite Archive, Ace, Jul 2025 Clear, Tordotcom, Jan 2025 (na,
CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN & BRI- The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, (tp, eb) hc, eb)
AN KEENE, EDS. Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, JOHN LANGAN Installment Immortality, Tor,
The End of the World As We Mar 2025 (h, hc, eb) Lost in the Dark and Other Ex- Mar 2025 (tp, eb)
Know It: Tales of Stephen King’s The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Titan cursions, Word Horde, Jun 2025 Velveteen vs The Early Adven-
The Stand, Simon & Schuster/ Books UK, Mar 2025 (h, hc, eb) (c, tp, eb) tures, Subterranean Press, Dec
Gallery, Aug 2025 (oa, hc, eb) Killer on the Road / The Baby- RICH LARSON 2024 (c, hc)
MIRA GRANT sitter Lives, Simon & Schuster/ Changelog, Fairwood Press, Sep JULIET E. MCKENNA
Overgrowth, Tor/Nightfire, May Saga Press, Jul 2025 (oc, h, tp, eb) 2025 (c, tp, eb) Polestars 10: Different Times
2025 (h, hc, eb) ALLAN KASTER, ED. STEPHEN LAWHEAD and Other Places, NewCon
DARYL GREGORY 3 Hard Shots at the Moon, Au- Aurelia, Baen, Jan 2025 (hc, eb) Press UK, Dec 2024 (c, tp, hc, eb)
When We Were Real, Simon & dioText/Infinivox, Mar 2025 (an, MARK LAWRENCE TASHAN MEHTA
Schuster/Saga Press, Apr 2025 tp, eb) The Book That Held Her Heart, Mad Sisters of Esi, Astra House/
(hc, eb) The Year’s Top Hard Science Ace, Apr 2025 (hc, eb) DAW, Aug 2025 (1st US, tp, eb)
AUSTON HABERSHAW Fiction Stories 9, AudioText/ TIM LEBBON L.E. MODESITT, JR.
If Wishes Were Retail, Tachyon Infinivox, Jun 2025 (an, tp, eb) Secret Lives of the Dead, Titan Sub-Majer’s Challenge, Tor, Aug
Publications, Jun 2025 (tp, eb) ALMA KATSU Books UK, Aug 2025 (h, pb, eb) 2025 (hc, eb)
FRANCES HARDINGE Fiend, Titan Books UK, Sep 2025 EDWARD LEE & MARY SAN- PREMEE MOHAMED
The Forest of a Thousand Eyes, (h, pb, eb) GIOVANNI The First Thousand Trees, ECW
Abrams/Amulet, Aug 2025 (1st GUY GAVRIEL KAY Strange Stones, Clash Books, Press, Jun 2025 (na, tp, eb)
US, na, ya, hc, eb) Written on the Dark, Penguin Jan 2025 (h, tp, eb) SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
CHARLAINE HARRIS Random House/Berkley, May SHANNON LEE & FONDA LEE The Bewitching, Penguin Ran-
The Last Wizards’ Ball, Simon 2025 (hc, eb) Breath of the Dragon, St. Mar- dom House/Del Rey, Jul 2025
& Schuster/Saga Press, Jul 2025 CASSANDRA KHAW tin’s/Wednesday Books, Jan 2025 (h, hc, eb)
(hc, eb) The Library at Hellebore, Tor/ (hc, eb) PAT MURPHY
GRADY HENDRIX Nightfire, Jul 2025 (h, hc, eb) SHARON LEE & STEVE MILLER The Adventures of Mary Dar-
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, CAITLÍN R. KIERNAN Diviner’s Bow, Baen, Apr 2025 ling, Tachyon Publications, May
Penguin Random House/Berkley, Bright Dead Star, Subterranean (hc, eb) 2025 (tp, eb)
Jan 2025 (h, hc, eb) Press, Jul 2025 (c, hc, eb) YOON HA LEE ANNALEE NEWITZ
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, T. KINGFISHER Starstrike, Penguin Random 

LOCUS December 2024 / 39

 FORTHCOMING BOOKS

Automatic Noodle, Tor, Aug 2025 ALASTAIR REYNOLDS USA, Feb 2025 (hc, eb) DAVID WEBER & JANE LINDS-
(na, hc, eb) The Dagger in Vichy, Subterra- VIVIAN SHAW KOLD
EMMA NEWMAN nean Press, Aug 2025 (na, hc, eb) Strange New World, Orbit UK, Friends Indeed, Baen, Mar 2025
The Vengeance, Rebellion/Solaris The Revelation Space Collection, May 2025 (tp, eb) (ya, hc, eb)
UK, May 2025 (tp, eb) Volume 1, Orion UK/Gollancz, May Strange New World, Orbit US, FRAN WILDE
JEFF NOON & STEVE BEARD 2025 (c, hc, eb) May 2025 (tp, eb) A Catalog of Storms, Fairwood
Ludluda, Angry Robot UK, Dec The Revelation Space Collection, NISI SHAWL Press, Aug 2025 (c, tp, eb)
2024 (tp, eb) Volume 2, Orion UK/Gollancz, May Making Amends, Aqueduct Press, EDWARD WILLETT
JODY LYNN NYE, ED. 2025 (c, hc, eb) Jan 2025 (c, art, tp, eb) Shapers of Worlds Volume V,
L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers ADAM ROBERTS LUCIUS SHEPARD Shadowpaw Press, Mar 2025 (an,
of the Future Volume 41, Galaxy, Frankenstein Rex, Orion UK / Crows and Silences, Subterra- tp, eb)
May 2025 (oa, tp, eb) Gollancz, Jul 2025 (hc, eb) nean Press, Dec 2024 (c, hc, eb) CONNIE WILLIS
TOBI OGUNDIRAN EMERY ROBIN A.G. SLATTER The Spanner in the Works, Orion
At the Fount of Creation, Tordot- The Sea Eternal, Orbit UK, Mar The Crimson Road, Titan Books UK/Gollancz, Jun 2025 (tp, eb)
com, Jan 2025 (na, hc, eb) 2025 (tp, eb) UK, Feb 2025 (pb, eb) JOHN WISWELL
At the Fount of Creation, Titan The Sea Eternal, Orbit US, Mar RIVERS SOLOMON Wearing the Lion, Astra House/
Books UK, Jan 2025 (na, hc, eb) 2025 (hc, eb) Model Home, Penguin Random DAW, Jun 2025 (v, hc, eb)
NNEDI OKORAFOR LEZLI ROBYN House UK/Merky, Feb 2025 (1st KHAN WONG
Death of the Author, Orion UK/ In Her Wake, Arc Manor/Caezik SF UK, h, hc, eb) Down in the Sea of Angels, Angry
Gollancz, Feb 2025 (1st UK , a, & Fantasy, Sep 2025 (tp, eb) CAITLIN STARLING Robot UK, Apr 2025 (tp, eb)
hc, eb) VERONICA ROTH The Starving Saints, Harper Voy- KELL WOODS
Death of the Author, HarperCol- To Clutch at a Razor, Tor, Sep 2025 ager US, May 2025 (hc, eb) Upon a Starlit Tide, Tor, Feb 2025
lins/Morrow, Jan 2025 (a, hc, eb) (na, hc, eb) S.M. STIRLING (hc, eb)
One Way Witch, Astra House/ EDEN ROYCE Lords of Creation, Arc Manor/ Upon a Starlit Tide, Titan Books
DAW, Apr 2025 (na, hc, eb) Psychopomp and Circumstance, Caezik SF & Fantasy, Mar 2025 UK, Feb 2025 (hc, eb)
MALKA OLDER Tordotcom, Apr 2025 (na, hc, eb) (hc, eb) RITA WOODS
The Potency of Ungovernable R.A. SALVATORE CHARLES STROSS The Edge of Yesterday, Tor/Forge,
Impulses, Tor, Jun 2025 (hc, eb) The Witch of Whispervale, Simon A Conventional Boy, Tordotcom, Apr 2025 (hc, eb)
TOCHI ONYEBUCHI & Schuster/Saga Press, Feb 2025 Jan 2025 (na, hc, eb) MAKANA YAMAMOTO
Harmattan Season, Tor, May 2025 (hc, eb) ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY Hammajang Luck, Orion UK /
(hc, eb) BRANDON SANDERSON Bee Speaker, Bloomsbury UK/ Gollancz, Dec 2024 (hc, eb)
ADAM OYEBANJI Wind and Truth, Tor, Dec 2024 Head of Zeus/Ad Astra, Jun 2025 Hammajang Luck, Harper Voy-
Esperance, Quercus UK/Arcadia, (hc, eb) (hc, eb) ager US, Jan 2025 (1st US, tp, eb)
May 2025 (tp, eb) W in d an d Trut h , O r i o n U K / Days of Shattered Faith, Blooms- NEON YANG
Esperance, Astra House/DAW, Gollancz, Dec 2024 (hc, eb) bury UK/Head of Zeus/Ad Astra, Brighter than Scale, Swifter than
May 2025 (hc, eb) JOHN SCALZI Dec 2024 (hc, eb) Flame, Tordotcom, May 2025 (tp)
ALEXEI PANSHIN The Shattering Peace, Tor, Sep Shroud, Macmillan/Tor UK, Feb REBECCA YARROS
Following My Nose, Arc Manor/ 2025 (hc, eb) 2025 (hc, eb) Onyx Storm, Entangled/Red Tow-
Caezik SF & Fantasy, Dec 2024 When the Moon Hits Your Eye, Shroud, Orbit US, Jun 2025 (1st er, Jan 2025 (v, hc, eb)
(nf, tp, eb) Tor, Mar 2025 (hc, eb) US, tp, eb) TIMOTHY ZAHN
K.J. PARKER When the Moon Hits Your Eye, CHUCK TINGLE The Icarus Coda, Baen, Apr 2025
Making History, Tordotcom, Sep Macmillan/ Tor UK , Mar 2025 Lucky Day, Tor/Nightfire, Jul 2025 (hc, eb)
2025 (na, tp, eb) (hc, eb) (h, hc, eb) The Icarus Needle, Baen, Dec
H.G. PARRY KEN SCHOLES HARRY TURTLEDOVE 2024 (hc, eb)
A Far Better Thing, Tor, Jun 2025 Better Dreams, Fallen Seeds Powerless, Arc Manor/Caezik SF AMÉLIE WEN ZHAO
(hc, eb) and Other Handfuls of Hope, & Fantasy, Jul 2025 (hc, eb) The Scorpion and the Night Blos-
ALEX PHEBY Fairwood Press, Aug 2025 (c, tp, tp) Twice as Dead, Arc Manor/Caezik som, Penguin Random House/
Waterblack, Tor, Jan 2025 (hc, eb) NEAL SCHUSTERMAN SF & Fantasy, Mar 2025 (hc, eb) Delacorte, Mar 2025 (1st US, ya,
DANIEL PINKWATER All Better Now, Simon & Schuster, MOSES OSE UTOMI v, hc, eb)
Jules, Penny, & the Rooster, Feb 2025 (ya, hc, eb) Children of Useyi , S imon & The Scorpion and the Night Blos-
Tachyon Publications, Apr 2025 V.E. SCHWAB Schuster/Atheneum, Mar 2025 som, Harper Voyager UK, Feb 2025
(na, ya, tp, eb) Bury Our Bones in the Midnight (ya, hc, eb) (v, hc, eb)
GARETH L. POWELL Soil, Tor, Jun 2025 (hc, eb) The Memory of the Ogisi, Tordot- IBI ZOBOI
Future’s Edge, Titan Books UK, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight com, Jul 2025 (hc) (S)Kin, HarperCollins, Feb 2025
Feb 2025 (pb, eb) Soil, Macmillan/Tor UK, Jun 2025 NGHI VO (ya, hc, eb) 
NATASHA PULLEY (hc, eb) Don’t Sleep With the Dead, Tor-
The Hymn to Dionysus, Blooms- SAMANTHA SHANNON dotcom, Apr 2025 (na, hc, eb)
bury USA, Mar 2025 (hc, eb) The Dark Mirror, Bloomsbury UK, JANEEN WEBB
The Hymn to Dionysus, Orion UK/ Feb 2025 (hc, eb) Scorpion Girl, PS Publishing UK,
Gollancz, Apr 2025 (hc, eb) The Dark Mirror, Bloomsbury Dec 2024 (c, tp)

42 / LOCUS December 2024

 ABRAMS FANFARE COMPLETE BOOKS BY PUBLISHER Lackey (hc, eb).
May ’25: Song of the Lioness, Feb ’25: Aftermarket Afterlife
Book 1: Alanna by Tamora Pierce by Seanan McGuire (r, pb). Dis-
& Vita Ayala, et al. (gn, ya, art, hc, The Ever King by LJ Andrews (r, v, Aug ’25: Valley by Stacey McE- count Armageddon by Seanan
tp, eb). hc, eb). The Late-Night Witches wan (r, tp). Wings of Steel & Fury McGuire (r, tp). Half-Off Ragn-
ABRAMS/AMULET by Auralee Wallace (tp, eb). The by Sarah J. Daley (tp, eb). arok by Seanan McGuire (r, tp).
Oct ’24: Nightbane by Alex Aster Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sep ’25: Awakened by Laura Midnight Blue-Light Special by
(r, ya, tp). Sachar (hc, eb). Elliott (h, tp, eb). The Dead Man’s Seanan McGuire (r, tp). Pocket
Nov ’24: Skyshade by Alex Aster Sep ’25: By the Horns by Ruby Empire by W.P. Wiles (tp, eb). The Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire
(ya, hc, eb). Dixon (v, hc, eb). Carl’s Doomsday Haunting of William Thorn by Ben (r, tp).
Mar ’25: A Single Brutal Fate Scenario by Matt Dinniman (r, tp). Alderson (hc, eb). Mar ’25: Aunt Tigress by Emily
by Lee Paige O’Brien (ya, hc, eb). The Ever Queen by LJ Andrews (r, ANGRY ROBOT US Yu-Xuan Qin (hc, eb). Emberclaw
Jun ’25: Sea Change by Susan v, hc, eb). Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Apr ’25: Down in the Sea of An- by L.R. Lam (hc, eb). Floating Ho-
Fletcher (ya, hc, eb). Wood (tp, eb). Witch Queen Rising gels by Khan Wong (tp, eb). tel by Grace Curtis (r, tp). Idolfire
Aug ’25: The Forest of a Thou- by Savannah Stephens (tp, eb). AQUEDUCT PRESS by Grace Curtis (hc, eb). The Ser-
sand Eyes by Frances Hardinge ACONYTE Nov ’24: Stop Plosive by Cesi pent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau
(1st US, na, ya, hc, eb). Songs for Nov ’24: Arkham Horror: The Davidson (pi, art, tp, eb). (hc, eb). She Who Knows by Nnedi
Ghosts by Clara Kumagai (1st US, Forbidden Visions of Lucius Gal- Jan ’25: Making Amends by Nisi Okorafor (r, na, tp).
ya, hc, eb). loway by Carrie Harris (x, tp, eb). Shawl (c, art, tp, eb). Apr ’25: Direct Descendant by
ACE AK PRESS Feb ’25: Stone Martyrs by Erik Tanya Huff (h, hc, eb). Last Chance
Oct ’24: An Instruction in Shad- Jan ’25: Dismantling the Mas- Hofstatter (na, tp, eb). to Save the World by Beth Revis
ow by Benedict Jacka (tp, eb). The ter’s Clock: On Race, Space, Mar ’25: The Deep Forest by (na, hc, eb). One Way Witch by
Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher and Time by Rasheedah Phillips Sofia Rhel (c, tp, eb). Nnedi Okorafor (na, hc, eb). Some-
(r, tp). (nf, a, tp, eb). ARC MANOR/ one You Can Build a Nest In by
Nov ’24: Bride of the Shadow ALCHEMY BOOKS CAEZIK SF & FANTASY John Wiswell (r, v, tp).
King by Sylvia Mercedes (r, v, tp, Jan ’25: Iron & Embers by Helen Oct ’24: Andromeda’s Choice May ’25: The Bloodless Queen
eb). Servant of Earth by Sarah Scheuerer (v, hc, tp, eb). by William C. Dietz (r, tp). Whispers by Joshua Phillip Johnson (hc,
Hawley (v, hc, eb). The Teller of AMAZING STORIES Most Foul by Emma MacDonald eb). The Dragons of Deepwood
Small Fortunes by Julie Leong (tp, Oct ’24: Tiny Time Machine: The (tp, eb). Fen by Bradley P. Beaulieu (r, tp).
eb). Toto by A.J. Hackwith (tp, eb). Complete Trilogy by John E. Stith Nov ’24: Andromeda’s War by Esperance by Adam Oyebanji
Jan ’25: Daughter of the Blood (om, ya, tp, eb). William C. Dietz (r, tp). New Rock, (hc, eb). Ghostdrift by Suzanne
by Anne Bishop (r, tp). In Our Stars AMAZING STORIES/ New Realm by Richard Sparks (tp, Palmer (r, tp).
by Jack Campbell (r, tp). Mother of AMAZING SELECTS eb). Radiant Sky by Alan Smale Jun ’25: An Artificial Night by
Rome by Lauren J.A. Bear (hc, eb). Dec ’24: Disavowed by John E. (tp, eb). Sleeping Worlds Have Seanan McGuire (r, tp). Gryphon’s
The Rainfall Market by You Yeong- Stith (tp, eb). No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov Valor by Mercedes Lackey & Larry
Gwang (1st US, hc, eb). Vow of the AMAZON/47NORTH (tp, eb). The Year’s Best African Dixon (hc, eb). Late Eclipses by
Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes Oct ’24: The Invisible College Speculative Fiction (2021) by Seanan McGuire (r, tp). A Local
(r, v, tp, eb). by Jeff Wheeler (tp, eb). The Natu- Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Habitation by Seanan McGuire (r,
Feb ’25: Destiny’s Way by Jack ralist Society by Carrie Vaughn ed. (an, tp). tp). Rosemary and Rue by Seanan
Campbell (hc, eb). Heart of the (v, tp, eb). Dec ’24: Following My Nose McGuire (r, tp). Wearing the Lion
Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes Nov ’24: Grimm Curiosities by by Alexei Panshin (nf, tp, eb). The by John Wiswell (v, hc, eb).
(r, v, tp). The Lady in Glass and Sharon Lynn Fisher (tp, eb). Year’s Best African Speculative Jul ’25: The Failures by Benjamin
Other Stories by Anne Bishop (r, Dec ’24: A Breathless Sky by Fiction (2023) by Oghenechovwe Liar (r, tp). A Shift of Time by Julie
c, tp). Long Past Dues by James Veronica G. Henry (tp, eb). Donald Ekpeki & Chinaza Ezi- E. Czerneda (tp, eb).
J. Butcher (r, tp). Three Kinds of Mar ’25: Wizard of Most Wicked aghighalaby, eds. (an, tp, eb). Aug ’25: House of Dusk by Deva
Lucky by Kim Harrison (r, tp). Ways by Charlie N. Holmberg (tp, Jan ’25: The Sky People by S.M. Fagan (hc, eb). Mad Sisters of
Mar ’25: Blood Beneath the eb). Stirling (r, tp, eb). Esi by Tashan Mehta (1st US, tp,
Snow by Alexandra Kennington AMAZON/SKYSCAPE Feb ’25: In the Courts of the eb). The Narrow Road Between
(v, hc, eb). The Book That Broke Oct ’24: Remember Me Tomor- Crimson Kings by S.M. Stirling Desires by Patrick Rothfuss (r, na,
the World by Mark Lawrence (r, row by Farah Heron (ya, hc, eb). (r, tp, eb). tp). To Cage a God by Elizabeth
tp). Cold Iron Task by James J. AMAZON/THOMAS & MERCER Mar ’25: Lords of Creation by May (r, tp).
Butcher (hc, eb). The Gate of the May ’25: Going Home in the S.M. Stirling (hc, eb). Twice as Sep ’25: Downbelow Station
Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman (r, Dark by Dean Koontz (h, hc, eb). Dead by Harry Turtledove (hc, eb). by C.J. Cherryh (r, tp). Sargassa
hc, eb). Heir to the Shadows by ANGRY ROBOT UK Apr ’25: Kitemaster by Jim C. by Sophie Burnham (r, tp). They
Anne Bishop (r, tp). Oct ’24: A Betrayal of Storms by Hines (tp, eb). The Only Song Fear Not Men in the Woods by
Apr ’25: The Book That Held Her Ben Alderson (r, tp, eb). Shoestring Worth Singing by Randee Dawn Gretchen McNeil (h, hc, eb).
Heart by Mark Lawrence (hc, eb). Theory by Mariana Costa (v, tp, eb). (tp, eb). ATMOSPHERE PRESS
Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Nov ’24: The Final Orchard by CJ Jun ’25: Permutations: A Well Oct ’24: Vitalerium: Descent
Andrews (v, hc, eb). The Butcher’s Rivera (tp, eb). A Kingdom of Lies World Anthology by David Boop, Into the Void by Nicholas Keating
Masquerade by Matt Dinniman (r, by Ben Alderson (r, tp, eb). ed. (an, tp, eb). Wages of Sin by Casbarro (tp, hc, eb).
hc, eb). Servant of Earth by Sarah Dec ’24: A Deception of Courts Harry Turtledove (r, tp, eb). AUDIOTEXT/INFINIVOX
Hawley (r, v, tp). The Wind Weaver by Ben Alderson (r, tp, eb). Ludluda Jul ’25: Haze by Katharine Kerr (r, Oct ’24: The Year’s Top Robot
by Julie Johnson (v, hc, eb). by Jeff Noon & Steve Beard (tp, eb). hc). Powerless by Harry Turtledove and AI Stories: Fifth Annual Col-
May ’25: The Eye of the Bedlam Jan ’25: A Tyranny of Queens by (hc, eb). lection by Allan Kaster, ed. (an,
Bride by Matt Dinniman (r, hc, eb). Foz Meadows (r, tp). The Way Up Aug ’25: Leave No Trace by tp, eb).
Queen of the Darkness by Anne Is Death by Dan Hanks (h, tp, eb). Randee Dawn (tp, eb). Nov ’24: The Year’s Best Sci-
Bishop (r, tp). Feb ’25: The Rising by Jo Ric- Sep ’25: In Her Wake by Lezli ence Fiction on Earth 2 by Allan
Jun ’25: Cosmic Love at the cioni (1st US, tp, eb). Symbiote by Robyn (tp, eb). Kaster, ed. (an, tp, eb).
Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie Michael Nayak (tp, eb). ASTRA HOUSE Mar ’25: 3 Hard Shots at the
Mare (tp, eb). Princess of Blood by Mar ’25: Evocation by S.T. Gib- Dec ’24: Berlin Atomized by Moon by Allan Kaster, ed. (an,
Sarah Hawley (v, hc, eb). Realm of son (r, tp). Space Brooms! by AG Julia Kornberg (hc, eb). tp, eb).
Thieves by Karina Halle (v, tp, eb). Rodriguez (tp, eb). The Witch Who ASTRA HOUSE/DAW Jun ’25: The Year’s Top Hard
Jul ’25: Dungeon Crawler Carl Trades With Death by C.M. Alongi Oct ’24: Valdemar by Mercedes Science Fiction Stories 9 by Allan
by Matt Dinniman (r, tp). Inferno’s (hc, eb). Lackey (r, tp). Kaster, ed. (an, tp, eb).
Shadow by Taylor Anderson (hc, Apr ’25: Down in the Sea of An- Nov ’24: Feuds by Mercedes AYIN PRESS
eb). Infinite Archive by Mur Laf- gels by Khan Wong (tp, eb). Scales Lackey, ed. (oa, tp, eb). Foreigner Nov ’24: The Moonstone Cov-
ferty (tp, eb). The Irresistible Urge by Christopher Hinz (tp, eb). by C.J. Cherryh (r, tp). Like Thun- enant by Jill Hammer (tp, eb).
to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte May ’25: A Game of Monsters der by Nnedi Okorafor (r, tp). The BAEN
Knightley (v, hc, eb). The Night by Ben Alderson (v, tp, eb). The Navigator’s Children by Tad Wil- Oct ’24: The Icarus Twin by
Ends with Fire by K.X. Song (r, Sorrow of the Sea by Stephen liams (hc, eb). Spirit of the Wood Timothy Zahn (r, pb).
tp). Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier Aryan (tp, eb). by Kristen Britain (r, tp). Nov ’24: Crisis at Proxima by
(v, tp, eb). Jun ’25: The Ellyrian Code by Dec ’24: Disquiet Gods by Chris- Travis S. Taylor & Les Johnson
Aug ’25: An Academy for Liars B.F. Peterson (tp, eb). Terms of topher Ruocchio (r, tp, eb). How to (hc, eb). Graveyard of Demons by
by Alexis Henderson (r, h, tp). Bull Service by Ciel Pierlot (tp, eb). Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis (na, Larry Correia (hc, eb). Last Train
Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon (r, Jul ’25: Ascension by S.T. Gibson hc, eb). Mechanize My Hands to to Kepler-283c by David Boop, ed.
v, tp). The Dragon Wakes with (hc, eb). Dot Slash Magic by Liz War by Erin K. Wagner (hc, eb). (oa, tp). Men of Bretton by Rich-
Thunder by K.X. Song (hc, eb). Shipton (v, tp, eb). Miss Amelia’s List by Mercedes 

LOCUS December 2024 / 43

  Forthcoming Books son (h, hc, eb). Rogue Community HEAD OF ZEUS/ZEPHYR Nov ’24: Chronos Warlock by
College by David Slayton (tp, eb). Oct ’24: Nettle by Bex Hogan Shami Stovall (tp, eb).
ard Fox (hc, eb). Monster Hunter Nov ’24: Shadow Lab by Bren- (ya, hc, eb). CATAPULT
Memoirs: Sinners by Larry Correia dan Deneen, ed. (hc, eb). The Shiv- Aug ’25: Songs for Ghosts by Dec ’24: Woo Woo by Ella Baxter
& John Ringo (r, tp). Through the er Tree by Holly Searcy (hc, eb). Clara Kumagai (1st US, ya, hc, eb). (hc, eb).
Storm by John Ringo & Lydia Sher- Jan ’25: At Dark , I Become BLOOMSBURY UK/RAVEN CEMETERY DANCE
rer (r, pb, eb). Loathsome by Eric LaRocca (h, Jan ’25: The Last Murder at PUBLICATIONS
Dec ’24: 1919: Romanov Rising hc, eb). the End of the World by Stuart Oct ’24: Detours by Brian James
by Tom Kratman & Justin Watson, Feb ’25: Combat Monsters: Turton (r, tp). Freeman, ed. (r, oa, tp).
et al. (hc, eb). Depth Charge by Untold Tales of World War II by BLOOMSBURY USA CENTIPEDE PRESS
Hank Davis, ed. (an, tp, eb). The Henry Herz, ed. (oa, tp, eb). Oct ’24: Jonathan Strange & Dec ’24: A Life in Art by Gervasio
Icarus Needle by Timothy Zahn Mar ’25: Transmentation | Tran- Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (r, Gallardo (pi, art, hc).
(hc, eb). Ice Trials by M.A. Roth- sience by Darkly Lem (hc, eb). tp). The Shadow Road by K.D. CHAINMAKER PRESS
man & D.J. Butler (hc, eb). Monster BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT Kirchmeier (ya, hc, eb). This Dark Nov ’24: Artificial Wisdom by
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Correia & John Ringo (r, tp). Voices Within by Anonymous, ed. Wish of the Wicked by Danielle CLASH BOOKS
Jan ’25: An Angel Called Peter- (oa, hc, eb). Paige (r, ya, tp). Oct ’24: Gigantivm Penisivm:
bilt by Eric Flint & Gorg Huff, et al. BLOOMSBURY Nov ’24: The Love Interest by A Tale of Demon Possession by
(r, pb). Arthur by Stephen Lawhead Jun ’25: A Dance of Lies by Helen Comerford (ya, hc, eb). Jose Elvin Bueno (h, tp, eb).
(r, tp, pb). Aurelia by Stephen Law- Brittney Arena (v, hc, eb). Dec ’24: A Century of Tomor- Jan ’25: Strange Stones by
head (hc, eb). Down These Mean BLOOMSBURY ACADEMIC rows: How Imagining the Future Edward Lee & Mary Sangiovanni
Streets by Larry Correia & Kacey Nov ’24: Afro-Centered Futur- Shapes the Present by Glenn (h, tp, eb).
Ezell, eds. (oa, pb). Merlin by Ste- isms in Our Speculative Fiction Adamson (nf, hc, eb). Spell of the Mar ’25: The Pink Agave Motel
phen Lawhead (r, tp, pb). Taliesin by Eugen Bacon & Abimbola Sinister by Danielle Paige (ya, and Other Stories by V. Castro
by Stephen Lawhead (r, tp, pb). Adelakun (Series Editor), ed. (nf, hc, eb). (c, tp, eb).
Feb ’25: Endangered Species tp, eb). Jan ’25: Carving Shadows Into May ’25: I Can Fix Her by Rae
by Charles E. Gannon (r, tp). Heart BLOOMSBURY UK Gold by Brigid Kemmerer (ya, Wilde (na, h, tp, eb).
of the Mountain by Larry Cor- Oct ’24: The Great When by hc, eb). Aug ’25: 8114 by Joshua Hull (h,
reia (hc, eb). The Icarus Job by Alan Moore (hc, eb). The Wood Feb ’25: The Dark Mirror by tp, eb).
Timothy Zahn (r, pb). The Miranda at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke Samantha Shannon (hc, eb). COFFEE HOUSE PRESS
Conspiracy by James L. Cambias (ss, hc, eb). Mar ’25: The Hymn to Dionysus Oct ’24: Last Tales by Samuel
(tp, eb). The Short Victorious War Nov ’24: Jonathan Strange & by Natasha Pulley (hc, eb). They R. Delany (c, h, tp, eb). Sound
by David Weber (r, tp). Tower of Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (r, Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Museum by Poupeh Missaghi (na,
Silence by Larry Correia (r, pb). tp, eb). Tran (ya, h, hc, eb). The Wild Dark h, tp, eb).
Mar ’25: 1637: The French Con- Feb ’25: The Dark Mirror by by Katherine Harbour (ya, tp, eb). COLLECTIVE INK UK/
nection by Eric Flint & Walter H. Samantha Shannon (hc, eb). Jun ’25: Devils Like Us by L.T. MOON BOOKS
Hunt (hc, eb). 1637: The Pacific BLOOMSBURY UK/ Thompson (ya, hc, eb). Feb ’25: Black Magick by Raven
Initiative by Eric Flint & Iver P. HEAD OF ZEUS/AD ASTRA Jul ’25: Love Spells Trouble by Digitalis (an, h, tp, eb).
Cooper (tp, eb). Friends Indeed by Oct ’24: Disquiet Gods by Chris- Nia Davenport (ya, v, hc, eb). COLLECTIVE INK UK/
David Weber & Jane Lindskold (ya, topher Ruocchio (r, tp). My Broth- BOOK VIEW CAFÉ ROUNDFIRE BOOKS
hc, eb). Some Time in the Fall by er’s Keeper by Tim Powers (r, tp). Oct ’24: Traitor by Rachel Manija Jan ’25: The Land Beyond the
John Van Stry (hc, eb). United We Nov ’24: The Dragons of Deep- Brown & Sherwood Smith (tp, eb). Waste by B.F. Peterson (tp, eb).
Stand by John Ringo & Gary Poole, wood Fen by Bradley P. Beaulieu BRAIN LAG COUNTERPOINT
eds. (r, oa, pb). Worlds of Honor (r, tp). Oct ’24: The Price of Memory Oct ’24: The Bog Wife by Kay
#7: What Price Victory? by David Dec ’24: Days of Shattered and More Stories by Sally McBride Chronister (h, tp, eb).
Weber, ed. (r, oa, tp). Faith by Adrian Tchaikovsky (hc, (c, tp, eb). CROSSROAD PRESS/
Apr ’25: Across an Ocean of eb). BRITISH LIBRARY MACABRE INK
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eb). Diviner’s Bow by Sharon Lee Doctorow (r, tp). Iceborn by Mi- Mains, ed. (an, hc, eb). The Weird Anonymous, ed. (tp, eb).
& Steve Miller (hc, eb). The Icarus chael Livingston (tp, eb). Picks Tales of Dorothy K. Haynes by Feb ’25: The False Ones by Tim
Coda by Timothy Zahn (hc, eb). and Shovels by Cory Doctorow Dorothy K. Haynes (c, tp, eb). Jeffreys (h, tp, eb).
Monster Hunter Guardian by (hc, eb). A View from the Stars by Nov ’24: The Haunted Vintage CROSSROAD PRESS/
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tp). Ribbon Dance by Sharon Lee Feb ’25: The Book of Love by Dec ’24: Ghost Stories of Wilkie Nov ’24: Skip School, Make
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Exodus by Larry Correia & Mike ows by Gourav Mohanty (hc, eb). eb). Summoned to the Séance: tp, eb). The Wolf and the Wild King
Kupari (r, a, tp). The Thermopylae Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang (r, tp). Spirit Tales from Beyond the Veil by K.V. Johansen (tp, eb).
Protocol by David Weber & Jacob Mar ’25: Extremophile by Ian by Emily Vincent, ed. (an, tp, eb). Dec ’ 24: Black River by M .
Holo (r, pb). Green (r, tp). Tales of Fire and BUNGIE Turville Heitz (tp, eb). Not Born of
BEDFORD SQUARE UK Freedom: Gael Song Stories by Dec ’24: Destiny Grimoire An- Woman by Teel James Glenn (h, tp,
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Hinds (hc, eb). Apr ’25: The Land of the Living Anonymous, ed. (an, x, hc, eb). Lungu (tp, eb).
Jan ’25: The Quick and the Dead and the Dead by Shauna Lawless CALQUE PRESS UK Jan ’25: The Alone by Terry Grim-
by Emma Hinds (hc, eb). (r, tp). Nov ’24: Lost Objects by Marian wood (h, tp, eb).
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Oct ’24: House of Frank by Kay Tchaikovsky (hc, eb). Window, Into the Dark by Marian Jan ’25: To Cage a God by Eliza-
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Hati (tp, eb). Faith by Adrian Tchaikovsky (r, Hall (r, ya, tp). Season: An Anthology of Coastal
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THE INKY PHOENIX Tchaikovsky (hc, eb). by Nadine Pineda (ya, hc, eb). ed. (oa, tp, eb).
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san J. Morris (h, tp, eb). erworld by Shauna Lawless (hc, to Babysitting by Natalie C. Parker Eliane Boey (pb, eb).
BLACK CLASSIC PRESS eb). Picks and Shovels by Cory (hc, tp, eb). The Assassin’s Guide DAW
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Mosley (r, tp). Futureland by Walter BLOOMSBURY UK/ (ya, hc, tp, eb). by Kristen Britain (hc, eb).
Mosley (r, c, tp). HEAD OF ZEUS/ARIA May ’25: Costumes for Time DEDALUS UK
BLACK ROSE WRITING Mar ’25: Spells, Strings and Travelers by A.R. Capetta (ya, v, Jan ’25: Paris Noir by Jacques
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Muriel Ellis Pritchett (tp, eb). Randall (v, tp, eb). Jun ’25: Skipshock by Caroline Mar ’25: Short Stories by Goder-
BLACKSTONE PUBLISHING BLOOMSBURY UK/ O’Donoghue (ya, v, hc, eb). zi Chokheli (c, tp).
Oct ’24: Dark Space by Rob Hart HEAD OF ZEUS/ARIES Sep ’25: Daughter of the Un- DEDALUS UK/
& Alex Segura (tp, eb). The Glass Apr ’25: Stay In the Light by derworld by Katharine Corr & DEDALUS AFRICA
Box by J. Michael Straczynski (r, tp). A.M. Shine (r, h, tp). Elizabeth Corr (ya, hc, eb). Mar ’25: Saara by Mbarek Ould
Nether Station by Kevin J. Ander- BLOOMSBURY UK/ CAPITAL STATION BOOKS Beyrouk (r, tp).

44 / LOCUS December 2024

 DISNEY PRESS man (tp, eb). (r, tp). Walking by Kim Harrison (r, tp).
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night by Linsey Miller (ya, x, hc, eb). (tp, eb). Beyond Here Be Monsters Oct ’24: Deja Brew by Celestine (hc, eb). The Nightward by R.S.A.
Jan ’25: Bemused by Farrah Ro- by Gregory Frost (c, tp, eb). Storm Martin (v, tp, eb). Garcia (tp, eb). Sun of Blood and
chon (ya, x, hc, eb). The Lost Ones Waters by Kat Richardson (tp, eb). Nov ’24: Tale of the Heart Queen Ruin by Mariely Lares (r, tp).
by Lauren Destefano (r, x, tp). The Apr ’25: Obviously I love you by Nisha J. Tuli (v, tp, eb). Nov ’24: And the Mighty Will
Wicked Ones by Robin Benway (x, but if you were a bird by Patrick Apr ’25: Enchantra by Kaylie Fall by K.B. Wagers (tp, eb). Earth
tp). The Wishless Ones by Hafsah O’Leary (pm, art, tp, eb). Smith (v, tp, eb). Abides by George R. Stewart (r,
Faizal (ya, hc, eb). Jun ’25: Space Trucker Jess by GREEN WRITERS PRESS tp). The Hurricane Wars by Thea
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Oct ’24: Isle in the Flood by Aug ’25: Better Dreams, Fallen RIVER GROVE Dec ’24: A Monsoon Rising by
Amanda M. Helander (ya, v, hc, eb). Seeds and Other Handfuls of Oct ’24: Transference Day by Thea Guanzon (v, hc, eb). A Sky
Sally’s Lament by Mari Mancusi Hope by Ken Scholes (c, tp, tp). A C.L. Lauder (ya, h, tp, eb). of Emerald Stars by A.K. Mulford
(x, hc, eb). Catalog of Storms by Fran Wilde GROVE/ATLANTIC/ (hc, eb). Timeless by R.A. Salvatore
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gan Matson (r, ya, x, tp). by Brenda Cooper (c, tp). Oct ’24: Orbital by Samantha Jan ’25: Hammajang Luck by
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DISNEY/ by T.A. Chan (na, tp, eb). May ’25: A Fate Forged in Fire eb). The Legend of Meneka by Kri-
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Oct ’24: The Dark Becomes Her GRAY RABBIT PUBLICATIONS HADES/EDGE SCIENCE Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana (r, v, tp).
by Judy I. Lin (ya, h, hc, eb). Dec ’24: Wandering Through FICTION AND FANTASY Feb ’25: The Antlered King by
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Oct ’24: Family by Ian Rogers tion (So Far) by Ian Randal Strock Michael J. Martineck (tp, hc, eb). axy Raiders: Abyss by Ian Douglas
(h, hc). (c, tp). Nov ’24: When the Fur Hits the (tp, eb). A Night in the Lonesome
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Knives by Tyler Jones (h, hc). Oct ’24: Elemental Forces by (tp, hc, eb). Mar ’25: Dragon Rider by Taran
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lion by S.M. Beiko (ya, tp, eb). (h, hc, tp, eb). Nov ’24: Before We Forget eb). The Weavers of Alamaxa by
Jun ’25: The First Thousand Nov ’24: The Damnations by Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi Hadeer Elsbai (r, tp).
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tp, eb). Seventhblade by Tonia bations by Ramsey Campbell (c, HARLEQUIN/MIRA nah Kaner (1st US, tp, eb). House
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by L.E. Richmond (ya, hc, eb). the Shadowed City by Jeffrey Alan N o v ’ 2 4 : D e s i g n i n g Te r r y Jun ’25: A Darkness Returns
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lissa Landers (v, hc, eb). Sea by Gary Gianni & Mike Mignola A Language of Dragons by S.F. The Wolf and the Woodsman by
Jan ’25: Onyx Storm by Rebecca (r, pi, art, hc). Williamson (ya, hc, eb). Ava Reid (r, hc).
Yarros (v, hc, eb). Aug ’25: The Art of Daniel War- HARPER VOYAGER UK Jul ’25: Birth of a Dynasty by
Jun ’25: Fallen Gods by Rachel ren Johnson by Daniel Warren Oct ’24: Exiled by Iron by Ehig- Chinaza Bado (hc, eb). Godkiller
Van Dyken (v, hc, eb). The Robin Johnson (pi, art, hc). bor Okosun (hc, eb). The Valkyrie by Hannah Kaner (r, pb). Lore of
on the Oak Throne by K.A. Linde FOREST PATH BOOKS by Kate Heartfield (r, tp). the Tides by Analeigh Sbrana (v,
(v, hc, eb). Nov ’24: Raven Mocker by Talu- Nov ’24: The Hungry Dark by Jen hc, eb). Medievally Blonde by Cait
ESPEC BOOKS lah J. Sullivan (tp, hc, eb). Williams (r, tp). Jacobs (tp, eb).
Nov ’24: Feat of Clay by Keith GALAXY Dec ’24: A Monsoon Rising by Aug ’25: Dawn of Fate and Fire
R.A. DeCandido (tp, eb). May ’25: L. Ron Hubbard Pres- Thea Guanzon (v, hc, eb). by Mariely Lares (hc, eb). House
ESPEC/NEOPARADOXA ents Writers of the Future Volume Jan ’25: Immortal by Sue Lynn of the Beast by Michelle Wong
Nov ’24: Aéros & Héroes by Ef 41 by Jody Lynn Nye, ed. (oa, tp, eb). Tan (v, hc, eb). The Legend of (1st US, hc, eb). The Hurricane
Deal (na, tp, eb). GOLDSMITHS PRESS UK/ Meneka by Kritika H. Rao (hc, eb). Wars by Thea Guanzon (r, v, hc).
ESPEC/ GOLD SF Feb ’25: The Antlered King Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (hc, eb).
PAPER PHOENIX PRESS Mar ’25: The Mune by Sue Dawes by Marianne Gordon (hc, eb). A Sep ’25: The Macabre by Kosoko
Nov ’24: A Curse of Time and (tp). The Path of Most Resistance: Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Jackson (h, hc, eb).
Vengeance by Christine Norris Poems on Women in Science by Eames (hc, eb). Lore of the Tides HARPERCOLLINS
(tp, eb). Jessy Randall (pm, art, tp). by Analeigh Sbrana (v, hc, eb). The Jan ’25: The Dryad Storm by
EUROPA EDITIONS GRAND CENTRAL Scorpion and the Night Blossom Laurie Forest (ya, hc, eb). A Lan-
Oct ’24: Kids Run the Show by Oct ’24: Feast While You Can by by Amélie Wen Zhao (v, hc, eb). guage of Dragons by S.F. Wil-
Delphine de Vigan (tp, eb). Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta Mar ’25: Faithbreaker by Han- liamson (ya, hc, eb).
EVIL EYE CONCEPTS (h, hc, eb). The Mistress and the nah Kaner (hc, eb). The Prince Feb ’25: (S)Kin by Ibi Zoboi (ya,
Oct ’ 24: Graveyard Dog by Key by Ben Mezrich (hc, eb). Without Sorrow by Maithree hc, eb). Where Shadows Bloom
Darynda Jones (na, v, tp, eb). Nov ’24: Dead Mountain by Wijesekara (hc, eb). by Catherine Bakewell (ya, hc, eb).
FABER & FABER Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child Jul ’25: Birth of a Dynasty #1 by Mar ’25: Divining the Leaves by
Nov ’24: She’s Always Hungry (r, h, pb). Chinaza Bado (hc). House of the Shveta Thakrar (ya, hc, eb). Fable
by Eliza Clark (c, tp, eb). Dec ’24: Holmes, Marple & Poe Beast by Michelle Wong (hc, eb). for the End of the World by Ava
Feb ’25: Chaos King by Kacen by James Patterson & Brian Sitts Aug ’25: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang Reid (ya, hc, eb). Igniting Fate by
Callender (ya, hc, eb). (r, a, tp). (hc, eb). Jean Louise (hc, eb).
FAIRWOOD PRESS Apr ’25: Angel of Vengeance by HARPER VOYAGER US Apr ’25: I Am Not Jessica Chen
Oct ’24: Egyptian Motherlode Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (r, Oct ’24: Bindle Punk Jefe by De- by Ann Liang (ya, hc, eb). Sisters
by David Sandner & Jacob Weis- h, tp). Medusa by Nataly Gruender sideria Mesa (tp, eb). Dead Witch 

LOCUS December 2024 / 45

  Forthcoming Books Oct ’24: Warrior of Legend by of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara (v, Mar ’25: Cyberchicks Go Wild
Kendare Blake (ya, hc, eb). hc, eb). by Barb Dwyer (r, ya, tp).
of Reap, Daughters of Ruin by Dec ’24: Dark Heir by C.S. Pacat HOLIDAY HOUSE LEVINE QUERIDO
Mindee Arnett (ya, hc, eb). (r, ya, tp). Sep ’25: This Raging Sea by De Nov ’24: Golemcrafters by Emi
Jun ’25: That Devil, Ambition by Feb ’25: Capitana by Cassandra Elizabeth (hc, eb). Watanabe Cohen (hc, eb).
Linsey Miller (ya, hc, eb). James (ya, hc, eb). Infinity Kings by HUB CITY LITTLE, BROWN
HARPERCOLLINS UK Adam Silvera (r, ya, tp). Oct ’24: Little Ones by Grey Oct ’24: The Wild Huntress by
Oct ’24: The Book of Witching May ’25: The Enemy’s Daughter Wolfe Lajoie (c, tp, eb). Emily Lloyd-Jones (ya, hc, eb).
by C.J. Cooke (h, hc, eb). by Melissa Poett (ya, v, hc, eb). IFWG PUBLISHING Feb ’25: The Forest K ing’s
HARPERCOLLINS UK/MAGPIE Jun ’25: A Girl Walks into the INTERNATIONAL Daughter by Elly Blake (ya, hc, eb).
Jul ’25: Medievally Blonde by Forest by Madeleine Roux (ya, h, Oct ’24: Fall of the Adversaries This Ends in Embers by Kamilah
Cait Jacobs (ya, v, tp, eb). hc, eb). Tempest by K. Ibura (ya, by Cary J. Lenehan (tp, eb). Cole (ya, hc, eb).
HARPERCOLLINS UK/ hc, eb). Nov ’24: Shadow Scent by Mi- Mar ’25: Nightweaver by R.M.
ONE MORE CHAPTER HARPERCOLLINS/ chael B Fletcher (tp, eb). Spawn Gray (ya, hc, eb).
May ’25: A Curse of Fate and TEGEN BOOKS 2: More Weird Horror Tales about May ’25: Lay Your Armor Down
Wolves by Melissa McTernan (tp, Oct ’24: The Brightness Be- Pregnancy, Birth and Babies by by Michael Farris Smith (h, hc, eb).
eb). tween us by Eliot Schrefer (ya, v, Deborah Sheldon, ed. (an, tp, eb). LITTLE, BROWN UK/ATOM
HARPERCOLLINS UK/ hc, eb). Dec ’24: Black Days and Bloody Oct ’24: Heir by Sabaa Tahir (ya,
THE BOROUGH PRESS HARPERPERENNIAL Nights by Greg Chapman (c, tp, hc, eb).
Jun ’25: The Compound by Ais- Nov ’24: She’s Always Hungry eb). Feb ’25: This Ends in Embers by
ling Rawle (1st US, hc, eb). by Eliza Clark (c, tp, eb). Feb ’25: Ferren and the Invad- Kamilah Cole (ya, tp, eb).
HARPERCOLLINS/AVON HARPERTEEN ers of Heaven by Richard Harland LITTLE, BROWN UK/PIATKUS
Nov ’24: Puck and Prejudice by Oct ’24: The Gentlest of Wild (1st US, ya, tp, eb). Mero and the Oct ’24: The Beloved by J.R.
Lia Riley (v, tp, eb). Things by Sarah Underwood (ya, City of Ghosts by Jesse McMinn Ward (r, v, tp). Fang Fiction by Kate
Jan ’25: The Baby Dragon Café hc, eb). The Witch of Wol Sin Lake (tp, eb). Stayman-London (v, tp, eb). Inheri-
by A.T. Qureshi (v, eb). The In- by Lena Jeong (hc, eb). Mar ’25: The Girl in the Well by tance by Nora Roberts (r, v, tp).
Between Bookstore by Edward Dec ’24: Fate Breaker by Victo- Dmitri Kakmi (h, tp, eb). Nov ’24: The Mirror by Nora
Underhill (hc, eb). ria Aveyard (r, ya, tp). The Scarlet IMMORTAL JELLYFISH Roberts (v, hc, eb).
Feb ’25: Impractical Magic by Veil by Shelby Mahurin (r, ya, v, tp). Oct ’24: New Year, New You by Jan ’25: The Night Island by
Emily Grimoire (v, tp, eb). A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid Chris Campbell, ed. (an, tp, eb). Jayne Ann Krentz (r, v, tp). Under
Jul ’25: The Baby Dragon Café (r, ya, v, tp). INKSHARES Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
by A.T. Qureshi (r, v, tp). Immortal Feb ’25: The Rose Bargain by Jan ’25: Shadow of the Eternal (1st US, v, tp, eb).
by Morning by Lynsay Sands (v, Sasha Peyton Smith (v, hc, eb). Watcher by Josh Mendoza (tp, eb). Feb ’25: Bonded in Death by J.D.
pb, eb). Mar ’25: The Shadow Bride by INSIGHT EDITIONS Robb (v, hc, eb).
Aug ’25: Impractical Magic by Shelby Mahurin (ya, hc, eb). Nov ’24: Star Wars Bestiary, MACMILLAN UK
Emily Grimoire (1st US, v, tp, eb). Apr ’25: Breakup from Hell by Vol. 1 by S.T. Bende & Iris Compiet Dec ’24: Bellevue by Robin Cook
Sep ’25: The Baby Dragon Bak- Ann Dávila Cardinal (r, ya, v, tp). (pi, art, x, hc, eb). (hc, eb).
ery by A.T. Qureshi (v, tp, eb). May ’25: You’ve Awoken Her by INTREPID TURTLE Sep ’25: Uncharmed by Lucy
HARPERCOLLINS/CLARION Ann Dávila Cardinal (ya, h, hc, eb). Jan ’25: Strength of a Vampire Jane Wood (hc, eb).
Mar ’25: A Wizard of Earthsea Jun ’25: The Scarlet Veil by by Ramona Ridgewell (tp, eb). MACMILLAN UK/PAN
by Ursula K. Le Guin & Fred Ford- Shelby Mahurin (r, ya, v, tp). KENSINGTON Mar ’25: The Final Act of Juliette
ham (r, gn, ya, hc, eb). A Wizard of Jul ’25: Embrace the Serpent by Nov ’24: Golden Lord by Mary Jo Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd (r, tp).
Earthsea: The Graphic Novel by Sunya Mara (ya, hc, eb). Fateless Putney (r, v, tp). To Kill a Badger by MACMILLAN/
Ursula K. Le Guin & Fred Fordham by Julie Kagawa (ya, hc, eb). Shelly Laurenston (v, tp, eb). FEIWEL AND FRIENDS
(gn, ya, art, hc). Aug ’25: Brighter Than Nine Jan ’25: My Funny Demon Val- Oct ’24: Don’t Let the Forest In
HARPERCOLLINS/ECCO by June CL Tan (ya, hc, eb). Once entine by Aurora Ascher (r, v, tp). by CG Drews (ya, h, hc, eb).
Dec ’24: Poor Deer by Claire a Villain by Vanessa Len (ya, hc, Jun ’25: One Dark Kiss by Re- MACMILLAN/FIRST INK UK
Oshetsky (r, tp). Sister Snake by eb). The Temptation of Magic becca Zanetti (v, tp, hc, eb). Oct ’24: Legend of the White
Amanda Lee Koe (hc, eb). #2 by Megan Scott (ya, hc, eb). A KENSINGTON COZIES Snake by Sher Lee (ya, v, hc, eb).
Apr ’25: Remarkably Bright Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid Nov ’24: A Trinket for the Tak- Mar ’25: Legend of the White
Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (r, (ya, hc, eb). ing by Victoria Laurie (hc, eb). The Snake by Sher Lee (r, ya, v, tp).
tp). HODDER & STOUGHTON UK Witch Is Back by Angela M. Sand- MACMILLAN/FLATIRON
HARPERCOLLINS/ Oct ’24: Strange Beasts by Su- ers (pb, eb). Oct ’24: Silent City by Sarah
GREENWILLOW san J. Morris (h, hc, eb). Dec ’24: Mrs. Morris and the Davis-Goff (r, tp).
Aug ’25: Monster, Monarch, HODDER & STOUGHTON UK/ Venomous Valentine by Traci Nov ’24: The Courting of Bris-
Maiden by Rae Carson (ya, hc, eb). HODDERSCAPE Wilton (pb, eb). tol Keats by Mary E. Pearson (v,
HARPERCOLLINS/ Oc t ’ 24: The Blood Orchid KENSINGTON/EREWHON hc, eb).
INKYARD PRESS by Kylie Lee Baker (ya, hc, eb). Oct ’24: Metal from Heaven by Dec ’24: Private Rites by Julia
Oct ’24: The Blood Orchid by Emberclaw by L.R. Lam (hc, eb). August Clarke (hc, eb). The Re- Armfield (1st US, h, hc, eb).
Kylie Lee Baker (ya, hc, eb). The Monstrous Kind by Lydia public of Salt by Ariel Kaplan (1st Jan ’25: The Scorpion Queen by
Mar ’25: Igniting Fate by Jean Gregovic (h, hc, eb). Shadowed US, hc, eb). Mina Fears (hc, eb).
Louise (ya, hc, eb). Moonlight by K.C. Harper (tp, eb). Nov ’24: Kalyna the Cutthroat MACMILLAN/HOLT
HARPERCOLLINS/MARINER Until We Shatter by Kate Dylan by Elijah Kinch Spector (hc, eb). Oct ’24: Killer House Party by
Oct ’24: The Best American Sci- (ya, v, hc, eb). Dec ’24: North Is the Night by Lily Anderson (ya, h, hc, eb).
ence Fiction and Fantasy 2024 Nov ’24: The Book of Gold by Emily Rath (hc, eb). Nov ’24: I Am the Dark That An-
by Hugh Howey & John Joseph Ruth Frances Long (hc, eb). The Jan ’25: Motheater by Linda H. swers When You Call by Jamison
Adams, eds. (an, tp, eb). Dawn Throne by Tara Sim (hc, Codega (hc, eb). Shea (ya, h, hc, eb).
HARPERCOLLINS/MORROW eb). The Navigator’s Children by Feb ’25: A Harvest of Hearts by MACMILLAN/PICADOR
Oct ’24: The Hobbit: Deluxe Il- Tad Williams (hc, eb). The Teller Andrea Eames (hc, eb). Oct ’24: Guestbook: Ghost Sto-
lustrated Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong Mar ’25: rekt by Alex Gonzalez ries by Leanne Shapton (c, tp, eb).
(r, hc). (hc, eb). Those Beyond the Wall (h, hc, eb). MACMILLAN/
Jan ’25: Boudicca by P.C. Cast by Micaiah Johnson (r, tp). Throne KENSINGTON/LYRICAL PRESS ROARING BROOK
(v, hc, eb). Death of the Author by of Secrets by Kerri Maniscalco (1st Dec ’24: Prince of Darkness by Oct ’24: No Better Than Beasts
Nnedi Okorafor (a, hc, eb). US, v, hc, eb). Where the Library Rebecca Zanetti (v, tp, eb). by Z.R. Ellor (hc, eb).
Feb ’25: The Poorly Made and Hides by Isabel Ibañez (hc, eb). LANTERNFISH PRESS MACMILLAN/SQUARE FISH
Other Things by Sam Rebelein Dec ’24: The Order of Masks by Oct ’24: The Willows by Alger- Mar ’25: The Last Bloodcarver
(c, tp, eb). Alina Bellchambers (hc, eb). non Blackwood & Ruthanna (EDT) by Vanessa Le (r, tp).
Mar ’25: Elphie by Gregor y Jan ’25: Bloodguard by Cecy Emrys (r, na, h, tp, eb). MACMILLAN/
Maguire (hc, eb). Love and Other Robson (ya, v, hc, eb). House of Nov ’24: Sundown in San Ojuela TOR BRAMBLE UK
Paradoxes by Catriona Silvey Frost and Feathers by Lauren by M.M. Olivas (na, h, tp, eb). Nov ’24: The Ashes & the Star-
(v, tp, eb). Wicked: The Graphic Wiesebron (v, hc, eb). May ’25: The Glass Garden by Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
Novel by Gregory Maguire & Scott Feb ’25: The Forest K ing’s Jessica Lévai (na, h, tp, eb). (r, v, tp). The Courting of Bristol
Hampton (art, tp, eb). Daughter by Elly Blake (ya, hc, eb). Aug ’25: The Barefoot Follow- Keats by Mary E. Pearson (v, hc,
Apr ’25: The Book of Doors by Apr ’25: A Drop of Corruption ers of Sweet Potato Grace by eb). Fall of Ruin and Wrath by
Gareth Brown (r, tp). Insignificant by Robert Jackson Bennett (hc, Megan Okonsky (na, h, tp, eb). Jennifer L. Armentrout (r, v, tp). The
Others by Sarah Jio (hc, eb). eb). The Raven Scholar by Antonia LEAVES OF GOLD PRESS Songbird & the Heart of Stone by
HARPERCOLLINS/QUILL TREE Hodgson (hc, eb). This Monster (AUSTRALIA) Carissa Broadbent (na, v, hc).

46 / LOCUS December 2024

 Feb ’ 25: Iron & Embers by Sep ’25: Can’t Spell Treason Mar ’25: The Ashfire King by Jun ’25: Engines of War by R.S.
Helen Scheuerer (1st US, v, hc, tp, Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne Chelsea Abdullah (tp, eb). Once Ford (tp, eb). Heart of the Wyrd-
eb). Wooing the Witch Queen by (r, v, pb). The Maiden and Her Was Willem by M.R. Carey (hc, eb). wood by RJ Barker (tp, eb). The
Stephanie Burgis (v, tp, eb). Monster by Maddie Martinez (hc, The Sea Eternal by Emery Robin Last Vigilant by Mark A. Latham
Mar ’25: Slaying the Vampire eb). Somewhere Beyond the Sea (tp, eb). The Third Rule of Time (tp, eb). The Mercy Makers by
Conqueror by Carissa Broadbent by TJ Klune (r, hc). Travel by Philip Fracassi (tp, eb). Tessa Gratton (tp, eb). Shroud by
(1st US, v, tp). MEERKAT PRESS Tideborn by Eliza Chan (hc, eb). Adrian Tchaikovsky (1st US, tp, eb).
Apr ’25: Firebird by Juliette Nov ’24: The Sum of All Things Apr ’25: Forged for Destiny by Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race
Cross (v, hc, eb). by Seb Doubinsky (na, tp, eb). Andrew Knighton (tp, eb). The Lie (tp, eb).
Jun ’25: Fallen Gods by Rachel MIDNIGHT HOUSE That Binds Them by Matthew Jul ’25: The Jasad Crown by Sara
Van Dyken (v, hc, eb). The Robin Jan ’25: The Return of the Soul Ward (tp, eb). Tonight, I Bleed by Hashem (ya, tp, eb). The Night-
on the Oak Throne by K.A. Linde and Other Curious Tales by Rob- Katharine J. Adams (tp, eb). Whis- shade God by Hannah Whitten
(v, hc, eb). ert Hichens (c, hc). per in the Wind by Luke Arnold (v, hc, eb). The Undercutting of
Jul ’25: The Enchanted Green- MIDWORLD PRESS (tp, eb). Rosie and Adam by Megan Ban-
house by Sarah Beth Durst (r, v, Feb ’25: Chain-Gang All-Stars May ’25: Everybody Wants to nen (v, tp, eb).
hc, eb). The Songbird & the Heart by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Rule the World Except Me by ORBIT US/REDHOOK
of Stone by Carissa Broadbent (r, (r, hc). Django Wexler (tp, eb). The Knight Oct ’24: The Black Hunger
na, v, tp). Apr ’25: The Keep by F. Paul and the Moth by Rachel Gillig (hc, by Nicholas Pullen (tp, eb). The
Sep ’25: Fallen Gods by Rachel Wilson (r, h, hc). eb). A Letter from the Lonesome Scholar and the Last Faerie Door
Van Dyken (r, v). MIT PRESS Shore by Sylvie Cathrall (hc, eb). by H.G. Parry (tp, eb).
MACMILLAN/ Mar ’25: The Greatest Adven- Strange New World by Vivian Nov ’24: The Swarm by Andy
TOR NIGHTFIRE UK ture by John Taine (tp, eb). The Shaw (tp, eb). The Sword Trium- Marino (h, tp, eb).
Oct ’24: The Rats by James Her- Hampdenshire Wonder by J.D. phant by Gareth Hanrahan (tp, eb). Jan ’25: The City of Stardust by
bert (r, h, tp). Beresford (r, tp, eb). Yankees in Jun ’25: Heart of the Wyrdwood Georgia Summers (r, v, tp).
Jan ’25: Witchcraft for Wayward Petrograd by Marietta S. Shagin- by RJ Barker (hc, eb). The Last Feb ’25: The Last Song of Pe-
Girls by Grady Hendrix (h, hc, eb). yan (r, tp, eb). Vigilant by Mark A. Latham (tp, nelope by Claire North (r, tp).
MACMILLAN/TOR UK Aug ’25: Before Superman: Su- eb). Six Wild Crowns by Holly Mar ’25: Goddess of the River
Oct ’24: Januaries by Olivie perhumans of the Radium Age by Race (tp, eb). by Vaishnavi Patel (r, tp).
Blake (c, hc, eb). A Pirate’s Life Joshua Glenn, ed. (an, tp, eb). Jul ’25: The Gods Below by May ’25: The Enchanted Lies of
for Tea by Rebecca Thorne (1st NEW DIRECTIONS Andrea Stewart (r, tp). The Jasad Céleste Artois by Ryan Graudin
US, v, hc, eb). A Power Unbound Oct ’24: Suggested in the Stars Crown by Sara Hashem (ya, hc, (r, tp).
by Freya Marske (r, tp). A Song to by Yoko Tawada (tp, eb). eb). The Nightshade God by Jun ’25: The Palace of Illusions
Drown Rivers by Ann Liang (hc, Nov ’24: On the Calculation Hannah Whitten (v, hc, eb). The by Rowenna Miller (tp, eb).
eb). Starling House by Alix E. of Volume 1 by Solvej Balle (na, Undercutting of Rosie and Adam ORBIT WORKS
Harrow (r, h, tp). Starter Villain by tp, eb). by Megan Bannen (v, tp, eb). Oct ’24: How to Summon a Fairy
John Scalzi (r, tp). Swordcrossed NEWCON PRESS UK Aug ’25: The Outcast Mage by Godmother by Laura Mayo (eb).
by Freya Marske (hc, eb). Sword- Dec ’24: Polestars 10: Different Annabel Campbell (r, tp). Nov ’24: The Twice-Sold Soul
crossed by Freya Marske (pb, eb). Times and Other Places by Juliet ORBIT US by Katie Hallahan (v, eb).
Nov ’24: Alien Clay by Adrian E. McKenna (c, tp, hc, eb). Pole- Oct ’24: The Fury of the Gods by Jan ’25: Level: Unknown by
Tchaikovsky (r, tp). Elusive by Gen- stars 9: Into the Dark by Patrice John Gwynne (tp, eb). On Vicious David Dalglish (v, eb).
evieve Cogman (r, tp). Heartsong Sarath (c, tp, hc, eb). Worlds by Bethany Jacobs (tp, eb). Apr ’25: Forged for Destiny by
by TJ Klune (r, tp). The Legacy of NO EXIT UK Sorcery & Small Magics by Maiga Andrew Knighton (eb).
Arniston House by T.L. Huchu Jan ’25: The Ancients by John Doocy (tp, eb). May ’25: Level: Ascension by
(hc, eb). Larison (1st US, tp, eb). Nov ’24: The Last Hour Between David Dalglish (v, eb).
Jan ’25: The Atlas Complex NORTH STAR EDITIONS/FLUX Worlds by Melissa Caruso (tp, eb). Jun ’25: Blackjack Interstellar
by Olivie Blake (r, tp). Modern Oct ’24: Lonely Places by Kate The Lotus Empire by Tasha Suri by Alla Zaykova (eb).
Divination by Isabel Agajanian (r, Anderson (ya, h, tp, eb). (tp, eb). Red Sonja: Consumed by ORION UK/GOLLANCZ
v, hc, eb). NORTON Gail Simone (x, hc, eb). Revenant-X Oct ’24: Blood by Sarah Pinbor-
Feb ’25: The Bones Beneath My Oct ’24: How to Fall in Love in by David Wellington (tp, eb). ough (v, tp, eb). Charm by Sarah
Skin by TJ Klune (r, hc). Shroud by a Time of Unnamable Disaster by Dec ’24: Ardent Violet and the Pinborough (r, v, tp, eb). Fortress
Adrian Tchaikovsky (hc, eb). Muriel Leung (hc, eb). Infinite Eye by Alex White (tp, eb). Sol by Stephen Baxter (hc, eb).
Mar ’25: The Ragpicker King by Nov ’24: Norse Mythology: Il- Blacklight Born by Alexander The House at Watch Hill by Karen
Cassandra Clare (hc, eb). Rose/ lustrated Edition by Neil Gaiman Darwin (r, tp, eb). Lake of Souls by Marie Moning (v, hc, eb). The Inn-
House by Arkady Martine (1st US, (r, c, art, hc). Ann Leckie (r, c, tp). Rebel Blade keeper’s Song by Peter S. Beagle
na, hc, eb). Tea You at the Altar by O’BRIEN PRESS (IRELAND) by Davinia Evans (tp, eb). (r, tp). Magic by Sarah Pinborough
Rebecca Thorne (r, v, hc, eb). When May ’25: The Doomsday Club by Jan ’25: A Crown So Silver by (v, pb, eb). Maiden, Mother, Crone
the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Kevin Moran (ya, tp, eb). Lyra Selene (v, tp, eb). The Hem- by Joanne Harris (c, tp). Yumi and
Scalzi (hc, eb). ORBIT UK lock Queen by Hannah Whitten the Nightmare Painter by Bran-
Apr ’25: Dark Diamond by Neal Oct ’24: The Black Hunger by (r, v, tp). The Outcast Mage by don Sanderson (r, tp).
Asher (hc, eb). Daughter of Ca- Nicholas Pullen (tp, eb). Candle Annabel Campbell (tp, eb). Nov ’24: Beauty by Sarah Pin-
lamity by Rosalie M. Lin (r, tp). The & Crow by Kevin Hearne (tp, eb). Feb ’25: Grave Empire by Rich- borough (r, tp). Defiant by Brandon
Gentleman and His Vowsmith The Fury of the Gods by John ard Swan (tp, eb). Greenteeth by Sanderson (r, tp). Poison by Sarah
by Rebecca Ide (hc, eb). Gifted & Gw ynne (hc, eb). On Vicious Molly O’Neill (tp, eb). Pinborough (r, v, tp, eb). The Road
Talented by Olivie Blake (hc, eb). Worlds by Bethany Jacobs (tp, Mar ’25: Once Was Willem by of Bones by Demi Winters (r, v, hc,
May ’25: Damned by Genevieve eb). The Scholar and the Last M.R. Carey (tp, eb). The Radiant eb). Servant of Earth by Sarah
Cogman (hc, eb). Service Model Faerie Door by H.G. Parry (tp, eb). King by David Dalglish (tp, eb). The Hawley (v, hc, eb). Witch Queen
by Adrian Tchaikovsky (r, tp). Song Sorcery & Small Magics by Maiga Sea Eternal by Emery Robin (hc, of Redwinter by Ed McDonald (hc,
of the Huntress by Lucy Holland Doocy (v, hc, eb). eb). The Third Rule of Time Travel eb). Witch Queen of Redwinter by
(r, tp). The Sun Blessed Prince by Nov ’24: The Last Hour Be- by Philip Fracassi (tp, eb). Tideborn Ed McDonald (r, tp).
Lindsey Byrd (v, tp, eb). Witchlight tween Worlds by Melissa Caruso by Eliza Chan (tp, eb). Dec ’24: Hammajang Luck by
by Susan Dennard (ya, tp, eb). (hc, eb). The Lotus Empire by Apr ’25: The Ashfire King by Makana Yamamoto (hc, eb). Wind
Jun ’25: Bury Our Bones in the Tasha Suri (tp, eb). Red Sonja: Chelsea Abdullah (hc, eb). The and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab (hc, Consumed by Gail Simone (x, hc, Lie That Binds Them by Mat- (hc, eb).
eb). Exodus: The Archimedes En- eb). Revenant-X by David Wel- thew Ward (tp, eb). The Raven Jan ’25: The Dance of Shadows
gine by Peter F. Hamilton (r, x, tp). lington (tp, eb). Scholar by Antonia Hodgson (tp, by Rogba Payne (r, tp). Kavithri
The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons (r, Dec ’24: Ardent Violet and the eb). Tonight, I Bleed by Katharine by Aman J. Bedi (r, pb). The Mars
tp). The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Infinite Eye by Alex White (tp, eb). J. Adams (tp, eb). Whisper in the House by Natasha Pulley (r, tp).
Durst (r, v, tp). Blacklight Born by Alexander Wind by Luke Arnold (tp, eb). The Rule of Chaos by Esmie
Jul ’25: Brothersong by TJ Klune Darwin (r, tp, eb). Rebel Blade by May ’25: Everybody Wants to Jikiemi-Pearson (hc, eb). Shigidi
(r, tp). The Lighthouse at the Edge Davinia Evans (tp, eb). Rule the World Except Me by and the Brass Head of Obalufon
of the World by J.R. Dawson (hc, Jan ’25: A Crown So Silver by Django Wexler (tp, eb). The Knight by Wole Talabi (r, tp). Your Blood,
eb). World Walkers by Neal Asher Lyra Selene (hc, eb). The Outcast and the Moth by Rachel Gillig (hc, My Bones by Kelly Andrew (r, v, tp).
(r, tp). Mage by Annabel Campbell (hc, eb). A Letter from the Lonesome Feb ’25: Bittershore by V.V.
Aug ’25: Running Close to the eb). Shore by Sylvie Cathrall (tp, eb). James (hc, eb). Death of the Au-
Wind by Alexandra Rowland (tp). Feb ’25: Grave Empire by Rich- Strange New World by Vivian thor by Nnedi Okorafor (1st US,
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann ard Swan (hc, eb). Greenteeth by Shaw (tp, eb). The Sword Trium- a, hc, eb). High Vaultage by Chris
Liang (r, tp). Molly O’Neill (tp, eb). phant by Gareth Hanrahan (tp, eb). 

LOCUS December 2024 / 47

  Forthcoming Books Martin (tp, eb). Wars: Tempest Breaker by Cavan White (r, h, tp). Star Wars: Rogue
OVERLOOK Scott (x, hc, eb). Star Wars: The Planet by Greg Bear (r, x, pb).
Sugden & Jen Sugden (r, tp). Imaro CONNECTION PRESS Acolyte: Wayseeker by Justina Jul ’25: Blood Over Bright Ha-
by Charles R. Saunders (r, tp). King- Dec ’24: 2025 Stephen King Ireland (x, hc, eb). ven by M.L. Wang (r, pb). The Book
dom of Claw by Demi Winters (r, v, Annual: Stephen King on Tour by Jun ’25: Star Wars: The High of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves &
hc, eb). The Lightborn by Rebecca Dave Hinchberger (nf, hc). Republic: Trials of the Jedi by China Miéville (r, x, pb). Critical
Zahabi (r, tp). The Moonlight Mar- PAGE STREET Charles Soule (x, hc, eb). Role: Bells Hells: What Doesn’t
ket by Joanne Harris (r, tp). Primal Oct ’24: They Watch from Below Jul ’25: The Reaper by Jackson Break by Cassandra Khaw (r, x,
Mirror by Nalini Singh (r, v, tp). by Katya de Becerra (ya, h, hc, eb). P. Brown (h, hc, eb). pb, eb). DragonLance: Dragons of
The Stars Too Fondly by Emily A Vile Season by David Ferraro Aug ’25: A Theory of Dreaming Eternity by Margaret Weis & Tracy
Hamilton (r, tp). (ya, v, hc, eb). by Ava Reid (hc, eb). Hickman (r, x, pb). The Last Gifts
Mar ’25: Breaking Hel by Miles Nov ’24: Loreland Bestiary by PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE UK/ of the Universe by Riley August (r,
Cameron (r, tp). City of Jackals by Hope Christofferson (pi, art, hc, eb). HARVILL SECKER pb). Star Wars: Mace Windu: The
Aman J. Bedi (hc, eb). Darkome PALGRAVE MACMILLAN Oct ’24: The Third Realm by Karl Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes (r, x,
by Hannu Rajaniemi (r, tp). The Nov ’24: J.G. Ballard’s Crash: Ove Knausgaard (hc, eb). pb). What If... Marc Spector Was
Daughters’ War by Christopher A Critical Companion by Paul Nov ’24: The City and Its Un- Host to Venom? by Mike Chen
Buehlman (r, tp). Lake of Darkness March-Russell (nf, hc, eb). certain Walls by Haruki Murakami (r, x, pb).
by Adam Roberts (r, tp). The Quest Dec ’24: Keith Roberts’s Pa- (hc, eb). Aug ’25: Best Hex Ever by Nadia
for Cush by Charles R. Saunders vane: A Critical Companion by PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE UK/ El-Fassi (r, v, pb).
(r, tp). The Sunlit Man by Brandon Paul Kincaid (nf, hc, eb). MERKY PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE UK/
Sanderson (r, tp). The Wolf and PARLIAMENT HOUSE PRESS Feb ’25: Model Home by Rivers TRANSWORLD/
His King by Finn Longman (hc, eb). Oct ’24: Wildblood by A.J. Vrana Solomon (1st US, h, hc, eb). DOUBLEDAY UK
Apr ’25: Elantris by Brandon (tp, eb). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE UK/ Oct ’24: The Marigold Mind
Sanderson (r, hc). The Hymn to Nov ’24: The Keeper of the Key MICHAEL JOSEPH Laundry by Jungyeun Yun (hc, eb).
Dionysus by Natasha Pulley (hc, by Nicole Willson (ya, h, tp, eb). Oct ’24: This Cursed House by N o v ’ 2 4 : D e s i g n i n g Te r r y
eb). Some Body Like Me by Lucy Sep ’25: The Garden of Before Del Sandeen (h, hc, eb). Pratchett’s Discworld by Paul
Lapinska (hc, eb). The Whisper of by Ryan Leslie (ya, h, tp, eb). Nov ’24: The Rainfall Market by Kidby (pi, art, hc, eb).
Stars by Cristin Williams (hc, eb). PEACHTREE TEEN You Yeong-Gwang (tp, eb). Jan ’25: The Garden by Nick
May ’25: Archangel’s Ascen- Feb ’25: The Hermitage Tapes Jan ’25: Daughter of Chaos by Newman (h, hc, eb).
sion by Nalini Singh (v, tp). Con- by Amanda Dewitt (hc, tp, eb). A.S. Webb (hc, eb). Mar ’25: A Thousand Blues by
founding Oaths by Alexis Hall (r, v, Jun ’25: Vesuvius by Cass Biehn Apr ’25: The Wind Weaver by Cheon Seon-Ran (hc, eb).
tp). The Devils by Joe Abercrombie (ya, hc, eb). Julie Johnson (v, hc, eb). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/
(hc, eb). The Falconer by Elizabeth Jul ’25: Climate of Chaos by PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE UK/ BALLANTINE
May (r, ya, tp). The Fallen Kingdom Cassandra Newbould (ya, hc, eb). PENGUIN MODERN Oct ’24: Run by Blake Crouch
by Elizabeth May (r, ya, tp). The Sep ’25: A Fate Unwoven by CLASSICS UK (tp, eb).
Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean Rachael A. Edwards (ya, hc, eb). Apr ’25: Night Watch: Anno- Feb ’25: Junie by Erin Crosby
(r, v, tp). The Revelation Space Grave Flowers by Autumn Krause tated by Terry Pratchett (r, tp). Eckstine (hc, eb). Mr. X by Peter
Collection, Volume 1 by Alastair (ya, h, hc, eb). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE UK/ Straub (r, h, tp).
Reynolds (c, hc, eb). The Revela- PEIRENE PENGUIN UK Apr ’25: The Gathering by C.J.
tion Space Collection, Volume Oct ’24: A Simple Intervention Oct ’24: Child of Earth and Sky Tudor (r, h, tp).
2 by Alastair Reynolds (c, hc, eb). by Yael Inokai (tp, eb). by Menna van Praag (r, tp). Mar- Jul ’25: The Art of Vanishing by
Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE UK/ vel: What If...Loki Was Worthy? Morgan Pager (hc, eb). The Black
(r, v, tp). A Testimony of Blood by BANTAM UK by Madeleine Roux (r, x, tp). The Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness
Rogba Payne (hc, eb). The Van- Oct ’24: An Academy for Liars Nightmare Before Kissmas by (r, v, tp). The Lost Story by Meg
ishing Throne by Elizabeth May by Alexis Henderson (h, hc, eb). Sara Raasch (v, tp, eb). Sanctuary Shaffer (r, tp).
(r, ya, tp). Nov ’24: The Cursed by Harper of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/
Jun ’25: Blitz by Daniel O’Malley L. Woods (r, v, hc, eb). (r, v, tp). BANTAM
(r, tp). The Folded Sky by Elizabeth Jan ’25: Water Moon by Saman- Nov ’24: The Kingdom of Nov ’24: George R.R. Martin
Bear (tp, eb). Fortress Sol by Ste- tha Sotto Yambao (v, hc, eb). Sweets by Erika Johansen (r, tp). Presents Wild Cards: Sleeper
phen Baxter (r, tp). The Rook by Apr ’25: Death and Other Oc- Silo by Hugh Howey (r, pb). Star Straddle by George R.R. Martin
Daniel O’Malley (r, tp). The Ship- cupational Hazards by Veronika Wars: The Living Force by John & Melinda M. Snodgrass, eds. (r,
wright and the Shroudweaver Dapunt (hc, eb). Spellbound by Jackson Miller (r, x, tp). oa, art, tp).
by Rafael Torrubia (hc, eb). The Georgia Leighton (hc, eb). Jan ’25: A Fate Inked in Blood by Feb ’25: George R.R. Martin
Spanner in the Works by Connie PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE UK/ Danielle L. Jensen (r, v, pb). Relight Presents Wild Cards: House
Willis (tp, eb). Stiletto by Daniel DEL REY UK My Fire by C.K. McDonnell (r, tp). Rules by George R.R. Martin (oa,
O’Malley (r, tp). Oct ’24: Best Hex Ever by Nadia Feb ’25: Arthur by Giles Kristian hc, eb).
Jul ’25: Frankenstein Rex by El-Fassi (v, hc, tp, eb). Blood Over (r, tp). Blood on the Tide by Katee Mar ’ 25: George R . R . Mar-
Adam Roberts (hc, eb). Immortal Bright Haven by M.L. Wang (hc, Robert (r, v, tp). The Book of Doors tin Presents Wild Cards: Card
by Morning by Lynsay Sands (v, eb). Critical Role: Bells Hells: by Gareth Brown (r, tp). Lasher by Sharks by George R.R. Martin, ed.
tp, eb). The Nightblood Prince by What Doesn’t Break by Cassandra Anne Rice (r, h, pb). Spitting Gold (r, oa, art, tp). George R.R. Martin
Molly X. Chang (hc, eb). The Road Khaw (x, hc, tp, eb). Star Wars: by Carmella Lowkis (r, h, tp). Star Presents Wild Cards: Marked
to Roswell by Connie Willis (r, tp). Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Cards by George R.R. Martin, ed.
The Wilding by Ian McDonald by Steven Barnes (x, hc, eb). What Darth Vader by James Luceno (r, (r, oa, art, tp). George R.R. Martin
(r, tp). If... Marc Spector Was Host to x, tp). Star Wars: Scoundrels by Presents Wild Cards: Showdown
Aug ’25: The Doors of Midnight Venom? by Mike Chen (x, hc, eb). Timothy Zahn (r, x, tp). Taltos by by George R.R. Martin, ed. (r, oa,
by R.R. Virdi (r, tp). The House at Nov ’24: We Shall Be Monsters Anne Rice (r, h, pb). We Used to art, tp).
Watch Hill by Karen Marie Moning by Alyssa Wees (hc, eb). Live Here by Marcus Kliewer (r, h, Jun ’25: Smile for the Cameras
(r, v, tp). Lucid by Oraine Johnson Feb ’25: Black Shield Maiden by tp). The Witching Hour by Anne by Miranda Smith (hc, eb).
(hc, eb). Tales of a Deadly Devo- Willow Smith & Jess Hendel (r, tp). Rice (r, h, pb). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/
tion by Jennifer Delaney (hc, eb). Star Wars: The Mask of Fear by Mar ’25: Dungeons & Dragons: BERKLEY
Tales of a Monstrous Heart by Alexander Freed (x, hc, eb). Spelljammer: Memory’s Wake Oct ’24: A Grim Reaper’s Guide
Jennifer Delaney (r, tp). Voidwalker Mar ’ 25: Critical Role: Vox by Django Wexler (r, x, tp). Home- to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara
by S.A. MacLean (v, hc, eb). Machina: Stories Untold by Anon- grown Magic by Jamie Pacton & (tp, eb).
Sep ’25: A Dance of Serpents ymous, ed. (oa, x, hc, eb). Fable for Rebecca Podos (v, tp). Medea by Jan ’25: Dark Hope by Christine
by Lauren Dedroog (v, tp). Hearth- the End of the World by Ava Reid Rosie Hewlett (r, tp). Star Wars: Feehan (v, hc, eb). The House
space by Stephen Baxter (hc, eb). (hc, tp, eb). Temptation of the Force by Tessa by Bentley Little (r, h, tp). Island
Whalesong by Miles Cameron (hc, Apr ’25: Marvel: Black Pan- Gratton (r, x, tp). Witch by Amanda Jayatissa (r, h,
eb). Witch Queen Rising by Savan- ther: The Intergalactic Empire of Apr ’25: The Twisted Throne by tp). Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
nah Stephens (tp, eb). Wakanda by Suyi Davies Okung- Danielle L. Jensen (tp, eb). by Grady Hendrix (h, hc, eb).
ORION UK/ bowa (x, hc, eb). The Staircase in May ’25: The Crimson Crown by Feb ’25: Murder Road by Simone
WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON the Woods by Chuck Wendig (h, Heather Walter (r, tp). Lady Mac- St. James (r, h, tp).
Jan ’25: The Lamb by Lucy Rose hc, tp, eb). beth by Ava Reid (r, h, pb). We Shall Mar ’25: Indian Burial Ground
(h, hc, eb). May ’25: A Curse Carved in Be Monsters by Alyssa Wees (r, tp). by Nick Medina (r, h, tp).
OUTLAND ENTERTAINMENT Bone by Danielle L. Jensen (hc, Jun ’25: The Bright Sword by Apr ’25: The Ghost Woods by
Oct ’24: Fate’s Hand by Darren eb). Rebel in the Deep by Katee Lev Grossman (r, tp). Buried Deep C.J. Cooke (1st US, h, tp, eb). The
Pearce (tp, eb). Robert (v, hc, tp, eb). Silver Elite and Other Stories by Naomi Novik Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia
Nov ’24: The Silent One by Kate by Dani Francis (v, hc, eb). Star (r, c, pb). Lucy Undying by Kiersten Ireland (hc, eb). A Witch’s Guide

48 / LOCUS December 2024

to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Homegrown Magic by Jamie Nguyen (ya, h, hc, eb). Inexplicable Voids by Leyna Krow
Mandanna (v, tp, eb). Pacton & Rebecca Podos (ya, v, PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ (oc, tp, eb).
May ’25: Archangel’s Ascen- tp). Incidents Around the House DELL PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/
sion by Nalini Singh (v, pb, eb). by Josh Malerman (r, h, tp). The Nov ’24: The Unmaking of June PENGUIN PRESS
A Charmiing Touch of Tarot by Ragpicker King by Cassandra Farrow by Adrienne Young (r, tp). Oct ’24: The Third Realm by Karl
Melissa Holtz (tp, eb). Thunder Clare (hc, eb). Jan ’25: Those Fatal Flowers by Ove Knausgaard (hc, eb).
Game by Christine Feehan (v, hc, Apr ’25: Dragonquest by Anne Shannon Ives (tp, eb). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/
eb). Written on the Dark by Guy McCaffrey (r, tp). A Drop of Cor- Feb ’25: Bloodfever by Karen PUTNAM
Gavriel Kay (hc, eb). ruption by Robert Jackson Ben- Marie Moning (r, v, tp). Darkfever Dec ’24: Bellevue by Robin Cook
Jul ’25: Atonement Sky by Nalini nett (hc, eb). The Staircase in the by Karen Marie Moning (r, v, tp). (hc, eb).
Singh (v, hc, eb). Woods by Chuck Wendig (h, hc, Faefever by Karen Marie Moning Feb ’25: The Garden by Nick
Aug ’25: The Ghost Tree by eb). The Twisted Throne by Dani- (r, v, tp). Newman (1st US, hc, eb). The
Christina Henry (r, h, tp, eb). The elle L. Jensen (hc, eb). The White Mar ’25: Spells, Strings and Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor
Haunting of Moscow House by Dragon by Anne McCaffrey (r, tp). Forgotten Things by Breanne (ya, hc, eb).
Olesya Salnikova Gilmore (r, h, May ’25: The Crimson Crown Randall (v, tp, eb). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/
tp). House of Monstrous Women by Heather Walter (r, tp). A Curse May ’25: Fear the Flames by RANDOM HOUSE
by Daphne Fama (h, hc, eb). The Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Olivia Rose Darling (r, v, tp). Dec ’24: Zodiac Rising by Katie
Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Jensen (hc, eb). The Ending Fire by PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ Zhao (ya, hc, eb).
Cañas (h, hc, eb). So Thirsty by Ra- Saara El-Arifi (r, tp). Lady Macbeth DIAL Jan ’25: Leave No Trace by Jo
chel Harrison (r, h, tp). This Cursed by Ava Reid (r, h, tp). Silver Elite by Jun ’25: This Princess Kills Callaghan (1st US, tp, eb).
House by Del Sandeen (r, h, tp). Dani Francis (v, hc, eb). Monsters by Ry Herman (hc, eb). Feb ’25: Black Woods, Blue Sky
Sep ’25: The Fortune Tellers Jun ’25: Buried Deep and Other PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ by Eowyn Ivey (hc, eb). The Book
of Rue Daru by Olesya Salnikova Stories by Naomi Novik (r, c, tp). A DOUBLEDAY of Love by Kelly Link (r, tp). The
Gilmore (h, hc, eb). Play Nice Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena Dec ’24: The Voyage Home by Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen
by Rachel Harrison (hc, eb). The (hc, eb). The God and the Gwisin Pat Barker (1st US, hc, eb). Thompson Walker (hc, eb).
Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Sophie Kim (v, tp, eb). Legion- PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ Mar ’25: The Morningside by
by Rachel Linden (tp, eb). Slashed naire’s Guide to Love by Emily DUTTON Téa Obreht (r, tp).
Beauties by A. Rushby (h, hc, eb). Skrutskie (tp, eb). Lucy Undying Nov ’24: Daughters of Bronze Jun ’25: The Compound by Ais-
The Whistler by Nick Medina (h, by Kiersten White (r, h, tp). Silver- by A.D. Rhine (tp, eb). Streetlight ling Rawle (hc, eb).
hc, eb). cloak by L.K. Steven (1st US, h, hc, People by Charlene Thomas (ya, PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ eb). Tiny Threads by Lilliam Rivera hc, eb). RANDOM HOUSE WORLDS
BERKLEY ROMANCE (r, h, tp). Feb ’25: Thirst by Marina Yuszc- Nov ’24: Star Wars X-Wing:
Oct ’24: Lightning in Her Hands Jul ’25: Arcana Academy by zuk (r, h, tp). Solo Command by Aaron Allston
by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland (v, Elise Kova (v, hc, eb). The Bewitch- Mar ’25: Rooms for Vanishing (r, x, tp). Star Wars: The Force
tp, eb). ing by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (h, by Stuart Nadler (hc, eb). Unleashed by Sean Williams (r,
Dec ’24: Under Loch and Key by hc, eb). Blood Over Bright Haven Apr ’25: You Know What You x, tp). Star Wars: The Han Solo
Lana Ferguson (v, tp, eb). by M.L. Wang (r, tp). The Book Did by K.T. Nguyen (h, hc, eb). Adventures by Brian Daley (r, om,
Jan ’25: Primal Mirror by Nalini of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves May ’25: Immaculate Concep- x, tp). Star Wars: The Living Force
Singh (r, v, tp). & China Miéville (r, x, tp). Candle tion by Ling Ling Huang (hc, eb). by John Jackson Miller (r, x, tp).
Feb ’25: I Got Abducted by & Crow by Kevin Hearne (r, tp). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ Dec ’24: Star Wars: Aftermath
Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Red Seas Under Red Skies by EMBER by Chuck Wendig (r, x, tp). Star
Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming Scott Lynch (r, tp). The Republic Oct ’24: Hatchet Girls by Diana Wars: Aftermath: Empire’s End
(v, tp, eb). of Thieves by Scott Lynch (r, tp). Rodriguez Wallach (r, ya, h, tp, eb). by Chuck Wendig (r, x, tp). Star
Apr ’25: Barbarian’s Hope by PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ Nov ’24: Defiant by Brandon Wars: Aftermath: Life Debt by
Ruby Dixon (r, tp, eb). The Geogra- DELACORTE Sanderson (r, ya, tp). Chuck Wendig (r, x, tp).
pher’s Map to Romance by India Oct ’24: Witchwood by Kalyn Jul ’25: The Mirror of Beasts by Jan ’25: Dungeons & Dragons:
Holton (v, tp, eb). Josephson (ya, hc, eb). Alexandra Bracken (r, ya, tp). Legacy by R.A. Salvatore (r, x, tp).
May ’25: Rebel in the Deep by Nov ’24: The Road of Bones by PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ Dungeons & Dragons: Passage
Katee Robert (v, tp, eb). Demi Winters (r, v, hc, eb). Serpent INKLORE to Dawn by R.A. Salvatore (r, x,
Jun ’25: Slave to Sensation by Sea by Maiya Ibrahim (ya, hc, eb). Nov ’24: Under the Oak Tree, tp). Dungeons & Dragons: Siege
Nalini Singh (r, tp). Jan ’25: The Last Bookstore on Volume 1 by Suji Kim (x, hc, eb). of Darkness by R.A . Salvatore
Aug ’25: Zomromcom by Olivia Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold (ya, hc, May ’25: Under the Oak Tree, (r, x, tp). Dungeons & Dragons:
Dade (v, tp, eb). eb). Paper Dragons: The Fight Volume 1 by Suji Kim (x, hc, eb). Starless Night by R.A. Salvatore
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ for the Hidden Realm by Siobhan PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ (r, x, tp).
DEL REY McDermott (r, ya, tp). A Sea of JOY REVOLUTION Feb ’25: DragonLance Chron-
Oct ’24: It Will Only Hurt for a Unspoken Things by Adrienne Oct ’24: The Dividing Sky by Jill icles by Margaret Weis & Tracy
Moment by Delilah S. Dawson (h, Young (hc, eb). Tew (ya, v, hc, eb). Hickman (r, om, x, hc). Star Wars:
hc, eb). Feb ’25: Kingdom of Claw by Dec ’24: A Cruel Thirst by Ange- Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth
Nov ’24: The Tainted Cup by Demi Winters (r, v, hc, eb). Unhal- la Montoya (ya, v, hc, eb). Sinner’s Vader by James Luceno (r, x ,
Robert Jackson Bennett (r, tp). lowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson (ya, Isle by Angela Montoya (r, ya, v, tp). tp). Star Wars: Scoundrels by
Those Beyond the Wall by Micaiah hc, eb). Jan ’25: Brewed With Love by Timothy Zahn (r, x, tp). Star Wars:
Johnson (r, tp). The Traitor Queen Mar ’25: Paper Dragons 2: The Shelly Page (ya, v, tp, eb). The Force Unleashed II by Sean
by Danielle L. Jensen (r, v, tp, eb). Rise of the Sand Spirits by Siob- PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ Williams (r, x, tp). Star Wars: The
We Shall Be Monsters by Alyssa han McDermott (r, ya, hc, eb). The KNOPF Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed
Wees (tp, eb). Scorpion and the Night Blossom Nov ’24: The City and Its Un- (x, hc, eb).
Dec ’24: The Inadequate Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao (1st US, ya, certain Walls by Haruki Murakami Mar ’ 25: Critical Role: Vox
by Danielle L. Jensen (r, v, tp, eb). v, hc, eb). (hc, eb). Machina: Stories Untold by Anon-
Jan ’25: At the Bottom of the Apr ’25: Snowglobe by Soyoung PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ ymous, ed. (oa, x, hc, eb). Dragon-
Garden by Camilla Bruce (tp, eb). Park (r, ya, hc, eb). KOKILA Lance: Dragons of Eternity by
The Endless War by Danielle L. May ’25: A Fate Forged in Fire Oct ’24: Fledgling: The Keep- Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Jensen (r, v, tp, eb). To Gaze Upon by Hazel McBride (hc, eb). Snow- er’s Records of Revolution by S.K. (r, x, tp). Dungeons & Dragons:
Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang (r, globe 2 by Soyoung Park (ya, tp, Ali (hc, eb). Spelljammer: Memory’s Wake by
tp). The Warm Hands of Ghosts hc, eb). PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ Django Wexler (r, x, tp). Star Wars:
by Katherine Arden (tp). Water Jun ’25: Kill Creatures by Rory LABYRINTH ROAD Temptation of the Force by Tessa
Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao Power (ya, h, hc, eb). May ’25: Blood at the Root by Gratton (r, x, tp).
(hc, eb). Jul ’25: I Will Never Leave You LaDarrion Williams (r, ya, tp). Apr ’25: Marvel: Black Pan-
Feb ’25: Black Shield Maiden by Kara A. Kennedy (r, ya, h, tp). Jul ’25: Bones at the Cross- ther: The Intergalactic Empire of
by Willow Smith & Jess Hendel (r, Moonstorm by Yoon Ha Lee (r, ya, roads by LaDarrion Williams (ya, Wakanda by Suyi Davies Okung-
tp). Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi tp). Our Wicked Histories by Amy hc, eb). bowa (x, hc, eb). Star Wars: Blood-
(r, hc, eb). Emily Wilde’s Compen- Goldsmith (ya, h, tp, eb). Predatory PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ line by Claudia Gray (r, x, tp). Star
dium of Lost Tales by Heather Natures by Amy Goldsmith (ya, h, NANCY PAULSEN Wars: Lords of the Sith by Paul S.
Fawcett (hc, eb). A Fate Inked hc, eb). Wrath of the Dragons by Oct ’24: Sixteen Minutes by K.J. Kemp (r, x, tp). Star Wars: Master
in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen (r, Olivia Rose Darling (v, hc, eb). Reilly (ya, hc, eb). Solis by Paola & Apprentice by Claudia Gray
v, tp). Aug ’25: Girls of Dark Divine by Mendoza & Abby Sher (ya, hc, eb). (r, x, tp).
Mar ’25: Galaphile by Terr y E.V. Woods (ya, hc, eb). Starstrike PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ May ’25: Marvel: What If... Wan-
Brooks (hc , eb) . The Hidden by Yoon Ha Lee (ya, hc, eb). PENGUIN da Maximoff and Peter Parker
Queen by Peter V. Brett (r, tp). Sep ’25: Twin Tides by Hien Jan ’25: Sinkhole, and Other 

LOCUS December 2024 / 49

  Forthcoming Books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (r, h, tp). Nov ’24: Thunder City by Philip (r, tp).
A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden Reeve (ya, hc, eb). Jul ’25: The Blonde Dies First
Were Siblings? by Seanan Mc- (v, hc, eb). The Return of the Feb ’25: The Whispering Dark by Joelle Wellington (r, ya, h, tp).
Guire (r, x, tp). Star Wars: Tempest Dwarves, Book II by Markus Heitz by Kelly Andrew (r, ya, h, tp). A Magic Fierce and Bright by
Breaker by Cavan Scott (x, hc, eb). (tp, eb). Mar ’25: I Am Made of Death by Hemant Nayak (r, ya, tp).
Star Wars: The Acolyte: Way- Nov ’24: Play of Shadows by Kelly Andrew (ya, v, hc, eb). Aug ’25: The Creeping by Alex-
seeker by Justina Ireland (x, hc, eb). Sebastien de Castell (r, tp). SCHOLASTIC/ andra Sirowy (r, ya, h, tp, hc). House
Jun ’25: The Archimedes En- Feb ’25: The Drowning Sea by CHICKEN HOUSE of Thorns by Isabel Strychacz (r,
gine: Exodus by Peter F. Hamilton David Hair (r, hc). Nov ’24: Inkworld: The Color ya, h, tp).
(r, x, tp, eb). Star Wars: Rogue Apr ’25: A Reign of Rose by Kate of Revenge by Cornelia Funke Sep ’25: The Hysterical Girls of
Planet by Greg Bear (r, x, tp). Star Golden (r, v, tp). (ya, hc, eb). St. Bernadette’s by Hanna Alkaf
Wars: Shadows of the Empire by May ’25: Esperance by Adam Mar ’25: All the Hidden Mon- (r, ya, tp). Powerless by Lauren
Steve Perry (r, x, tp). Star Wars: Oyebanji (tp, eb). sters by Amie Jordan (ya, v, hc, eb). Roberts (r, ya, tp, eb).
The High Republic: Trials of the QUIRK BOOKS SELF-PUBLISHED SIMON & SCHUSTER UK
Jedi by Charles Soule (hc, eb). Jan ’25: Wake Up and Open Your Oct ’24: Abundance by Alan Oct ’24: Feast While You Can by
Jul ’25: Batman: Resurrection Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman Chan (tp, hc, eb). Fallen Feathers Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta
by John Jackson Miller (r, x, tp). (h, hc, eb). by Adam Howorth (hc, eb). True (h, tp, eb).
Critical Role: Bells Hells: What May ’25: Crafting for Sinners by Blue Kangaroo by Curtis C. Chen Mar ’25: The Hallow Hunt by
Doesn’t Break by Cassandra Jenny Kiefer (h, tp, eb). (tp, eb). Margie Fuston (1st US, ya, v, hc, eb).
Khaw (r, x, tp). Dungeons & Drag- Aug ’25: This Is My Body by Nov ’24: Broken Stars by Jeremy Apr ’25: Fearless by Lauren
ons: The Fallbacks: Dealing With Lindsay King-Miller (h, tp, eb). Szal (c, tp, eb). Roberts (r, ya, hc, eb).
Dragons by Jaleigh Johnson (x, RAMBLE HOUSE Jan ’25: Office Maxi by Aaron SIMON & SCHUSTER/
hc, eb). Star Wars: Episode IV: A Nov ’24: The Anthologist’s Folly Frale (eb). ALADDIN
New Hope by George Lucas (r, x, by Johnny Mains, ed. (c, h, tp, eb). SEPTEMBER PUBLISHING UK Jan ’25: The Forgotten Magic
tp). Star Wars: Episode VI: Return REBELLION/ Mar ’25: Any Human Power by of Zoey Turner by Erin Stewart
of the Jedi by James Kahn (r, x, SOLARIS NOVA UK Manda Scott (r, tp). (ya, hc, eb).
tp). Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Jun ’25: Queen of Mercy by SERPENT’S TAIL UK SIMON & SCHUSTER/
Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes (r, x, Natania Barron (tp, eb). Oct ’24: The Wolf of Whindale ATHENEUM
tp). Star Wars: The Empire Strikes REBELLION/SOLARIS UK by Jacob Kerr (h, hc, eb). Oct ’24: Prince of Fortune by
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What If... Marc Spector Was Host by Karin Lowachee (na, tp, eb). The Oct ’24: Cradle by Chris Bauer Mar ’25: Children of Useyi by
to Venom? by Mike Chen (r, x, tp). Vampires of El Norte by Isabel (tp, eb). Moses Ose Utomi (ya, hc, eb).
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE/ Cañas (1st US, h, tp, eb). Jan ’25: Aurora Fragment by Bri- Jun ’25: King of Dead Things by
VINTAGE Nov ’24: Interstellar MegaChef an Shea & Raquel Byrnes (tp, eb). Nevin Holness (r, ya, tp).
Dec ’24: ‘Salem’s Lot by Ste- by Lavanya Lakshminarayan, ed. Apr ’25: The Final Stand by Rick SIMON & SCHUSTER/ATRIA
phen King (r, h, tp). Thinner by (tp, eb). The Silent Emperor by Campbell (tp, eb). Dec ’24: Glow of the Everflame
Stephen King (r, h, tp). Snorri Kristjánsson (tp, eb). We Jul ’25: Descent into Hellios by by Penn Cole (r, v, hc).
PENGUIN/SIGNET Are All Ghosts in the Forest by Rick Campbell (tp, eb). Jan ’25: We Lived on the Hori-
Apr ’25: Roadwork by Richard Lorraine Wilson (hc, eb). SHADOWPAW PRESS zon by Erika Swyler (hc, eb).
Bachman (r, a, pb). Dec ’24: Queen of Fury by Nata- Oct ’24: I, Brax: A Battle Divine Feb ’25: Expiration Dates by
PINE TEN nia Barron (tp, eb). by Arthur Slade (ya, tp, eb). Rebecca Serle (r, v, tp).
Oct ’24: Parallels by Kfir Luz- Jan ’25: The Longest Autumn by Nov ’24: The Sun Runners by Jun ’25: Habits of the Sea by
zatto (tp, eb). Amy Avery (1st US, tp, eb). James Bow (ya, tp, eb). Shea Ernshaw (hc, eb).
PIXEL+INK Feb ’25: The Desert Talon by Dec ’24: Ashme’s Song by Brad SIMON & SCHUSTER/ATRIA/
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PM PRESS ton (tp, eb). Redsight by Meredith Volume V by Edward Willett, ed. by Matt Query & Harrison Query
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pers by John Kessel (c, tp, eb). by Aliya Whiteley (r, tp). The Un- Jun ’25: Gods of a New World by SIMON & SCHUSTER/ATRIA/
PODIUM PUBLISHING killable Princess by Taran Hunt Ryan Melsom (tp, eb). PRIMERO SUEÑO
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Mist by Julie C. Dao (h, tp, eb). (tp, eb). The Serpent Called Mercy SHADOWPAW PRESS REPRISE SIMON & SCHUSTER/
Nov ’24: Beware of Chicken 3 by by Roanne Lau (1st US, hc, eb). May ’25: The Night Girl by James GALLERY
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Die by Lucía Ashta (v, tp). Premee Mohamed (r, tp). The Tomb SHADOWPAW PRESS/ ter (h, hc, eb).
PS PUBLISHING UK of Dragons by Katherine Addison ENDLESS SKY Nov ’24: Star Trek: Strange
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King (r, hc). Black Mountain by Apr ’25: The Price of Everything by James Bow, ed. (ya, tp, eb). Cormack (x, hc, eb).
Venero Armanno (tp) . Black- by Jon McGoran (tp, eb). Rakesfall SHORTWAVE Feb ’25: Halo: Empty Throne
Winged Angels by Angela Slatter by Vajra Chandrasekera (1st US, tp, Nov ’24: Candy Cain Kills Again: by Jeremy Patenaude (ya, x, tp,
(1st US, c, hc, tp, eb). Cold Wars eb). Saint Death’s Herald by C.S.E. The Second Slaying by Brian eb). Star Trek: Picard: Firewall by
Cthulhu by Darrell Schweitzer, ed. Cooney (tp, eb). McAuley (na, h, tp, eb). David Mack (r, x, tp).
(r, an, hc). The Heart Is a Mirror May ’25: The Killing Spell by SIMON & SCHUSTER Mar ’25: Exquisite Ruin by Adri-
for Sinners by Angela Slatter (r, Shay Kauwe (tp, eb). Savage Boun- Oct ’24: Eleven Houses by Col- Anne May (v, tp, eb).
c, tp). The Inhabitant of the Lake ty by Matt Wallace (1st US, tp, eb). leen Oakes (ya, v, hc, eb). Keeper Apr ’25: Star Trek: Strange New
& Other Unwelcome Tenants by Snowblooded by Emma Sterner- Chance and the Conundrun of Worlds: Toward the Night by
Ramsey Campbell (r, c, art, hc). Radley (r, tp). The Vengeance by Chaos by Alex Evanovich (ya, hc, James Swallow (x, hc, eb).
Thunder on the Mountain by Emma Newman (tp, eb). eb). Pied by Avione Lee (hc, tp, eb). Aug ’25: The End of the World
Venero Armanno (na, h, hc). Jun ’25: The Beauty by Aliya Nov ’24: Kingdom of Without by As We Know It: Tales of Stephen
Nov ’24: Deluxe Circumference Whiteley (r, h, tp). A Covenant of Andrea Tang (r, ya, tp). King’s The Stand by Christopher
by Lavie Tidhar (r, hc). The Invis- Ice by Karin Lowachee (na, tp, eb). Jan ’25: Build a Girlfriend by Golden & Brian Keene, eds. (oa,
ible Woman by James Blaylock Jul ’ 25: The Immeasurable Elba Luz (ya, v, hc, eb). hc, eb).
(tp, hc). Heaven by caspar Geon (tp, eb). Feb ’25: All Better Now by Neal SIMON & SCHUSTER/
Dec ’24: Nocturnal Tales by Tim The Needfire by MK Hardy (h, Schusterman (ya, hc, eb). Dead MCELDERRY
Foley (c, hc). The Rays Slip Away hc, eb). Things Are Closer than They Ap- Oct ’24: Curious Tides by Pas-
by Venero Armanno (na, h, hc). Sep ’25: The Door on the Sea pear by Robin Wasley (r, ya, h, tp). cale Lacelle (r, ya, tp). The Dagger
Scorpion Girl by Janeen Webb by Caskey Russell (hc, eb). An Mar ’25: Oathbound by Tracy and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
(c, tp). Time Machine: Australia Unbreakable World by Ren Hutch- Deonn (ya, hc, eb). (ya, hc, eb). Inheritance of Scars
Bound by Chris Sequeria & Steve ings (tp, eb). Apr ’25: Fearless by Lauren by Crystal Seitz (ya, h, hc, eb).
Proposch, eds. (an, hc). REGAL HOUSE Roberts (r, ya, hc, eb). Nov ’24: A Grim and Sunken
QUERCUS UK Nov ’24: The Moon Won’t Talk Jun ’25: The Beautiful Madden- Vow by Ashley Shuttleworth (r,
Oct ’24: How to Solve Your Own by Morgan Howell (tp, eb). ing by Shea Ernshaw (ya, v, hc, eb). ya, tp). Stranger Skies by Pascale
Murder by Kristen Perrin (r, tp). Mar ’25: The Island of Small Goodbye, My Princess by Fei Wo Lacelle (ya, hc, eb). A Wild and Ru-
QUERCUS UK/ARCADIA Misfortunes by Jackson Kuhl (h, Si Cun (v, hc, eb). Slice of Cherry ined Song by Ashley Shuttleworth
Oct ’24: The Burning Land by tp, eb). by Dia Reeves (r, ya, h, hc, tp). The (ya, hc, eb).
David Hair (r, tp). Mexican Gothic SCHOLASTIC PRESS Sons of El Rey by Alex Espinoza Feb ’25: A Burning in the Bones

50 / LOCUS December 2024

by Scott Reintgen (ya, hc, eb). A Ball by Charlaine Harris (hc, eb). Passions in Death by J.D. Robb STELLIFORM PRESS
Whisper in the Walls by Scott The Secret Market of the Dead (r, v, tp). Apr ’25: Origins of Desire in
Reintgen (r, ya, tp). by Giovanni de Feo (hc, eb). Feb ’25: Bonded in Death by J.D. Northern Orchid Fens by Lynn
Mar ’25: The Hallow Hunt by SIMON & SCHUSTER/ Robb (v, hc, eb). The Fourth Con- Hutchinson Lee (na, tp, eb).
Margie Fuston (ya, v, hc, eb). The SCRIBNER sort by Edward Ashton (hc, eb). May ’25: Seed Beetle by Mahaila
Revenant Games by Margie Fus- Jan ’25: Laozi’s Dao De Jing by Apr ’25: The Cut by C.J. Dotson Smith (pm, art, tp, eb).
ton (r, ya, v, tp). Tender Beasts by Ken Liu & Laozi (r, nf, a, tp). (h, hc, eb). STERLING/
Liselle Sambury (r, ya, h, tp). Mar ’25: The Unworthy by Agus- May ’25: The Night Birds by UNION SQUARE & CO.
Apr ’25: The Lady of Rapture tina Bazterrica (tp, eb). Christopher Golden (h, hc, eb). Oct ’24: The Time Keepers by
by Sarah Raughley (r, ya, tp). Love SIMON PULSE Passions in Death by J.D. Robb Alyson Richman (tp, eb).
at Second Sight by F.T. Lukens Nov ’24: Michael Vey: The Col- (r, v, pb). Nov ’24: Fortune’s Kiss by Am-
(ya, hc, eb). Otherworldly by F.T. ony by Richard Paul Evans (ya, ST. MARTIN’S GRIFFIN ber Clement (ya, hc, eb).
Lukens (r, ya, v, tp). Where the hc, eb). Oct ’24: Inheritance by Nora Jan ’25: An Honored Vow by Me-
Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek Mar ’25: Till Death by Kellan Roberts (r, v, tp). lissa Blair (tp, eb). Lud-in-the-Mist
(r, ya, tp). McDaniel (v, hc, eb). Feb ’25: A Circle of Uncommon by Hope Mirrlees (r, tp).
May ’25: The Art of Exile by Sep ’25: Michael Vey: The Colo- Witches by Paige Crutcher (v, Feb ’25: Five Ways to Forgive-
Andrea Max (hc, eb). ny by Richard Paul Evans (r, ya, tp). tp, eb). Listen to Your Sister by ness by Ursula K. Le Guin (r, c, tp,
Jun ’25: A Mastery of Monsters SNOWY WINGS Neena Viel (h, tp, eb). eb). The Woman in the Wallpaper
by Liselle Sambury (ya, h, hc, eb). Nov ’24: Fire Heart by Joyce Mar ’25: Burn to Shine by Jona- by Lora Jones (hc, eb).
Jul ’25: Steel & Spellfire by Ch’ng (tp, eb). than Maberry (h, tp, eb). Apr ’25: This Monster of Mine
Laura E. Weymouth (ya, hc, eb). SOFT SKULL PRESS Jul ’25: Bonded in Death by J.D. by Shalini Abeysekara (v, tp, eb).
Treachery of Swans by A.B. Po- Oct ’24: Dangerous Fictions: Robb (r, v, tp). STERLING/
ranek (ya, hc, eb). The Fear of Fantasy and the ST. MARTIN’S/MINOTAUR UNION SQUARE KIDS
Aug ’25: Ghostsmith by Nicki Invention of Reality by Lyta Gold Mar ’25: Bless Your Heart by Dec ’24: The Losting Fountain
Pau Preto (r, ya, tp). (nf, hc, eb). Lindy Ryan (r, h, tp). Splinter Ef- by Lora Senf (ya, hc, tp, eb).
SIMON & SCHUSTER/ Nov ’24: An Earthquake Is a fect by Andrew Ludington (hc, eb). SUBTERRANEAN PRESS
MTV BOOKS Shaking fo the Surface of the Apr ’25: Another Fine Mess by Oct ’24: Other People’s Play-
Mar ’25: Till Death by Kellan Earth by Anna Moschovakis (tp, Lindy Ryan (h, hc, eb). grounds by Harry Turtledove (c,
McDaniel (v, hc, eb). eb). Jul ’25: Another Fine Mess by hc, eb). Schemes & Scandals by
SIMON & SCHUSTER/POCKET Jul ’25: Curandera by Irenosen Lindy Ryan (r, h, tp, eb). Kelley Armstrong (na, hc). War-
Jan ’25: Thinner by Stephen King Okojie (tp, eb). ST. MARTIN’S/ riorborn by Jim Butcher (r, na, hc).
(r, h, pb). SOHO PRESS/ WEDNESDAY BOOKS Nov ’24: The Next Thing You
Jul ’25: Holly by Stephen King HELL’S HUNDRED Oct ’24: For She Is Wrath by Em- See When You Die by Stephen
(r, a, pb). Jan ’25: Our Winter Monster by ily Varga (ya, hc, eb). Together We Gallagher (na, a, hc, eb). Starling
Aug ’25: Skeleton Crew by Ste- Dennis Mahoney (h, hc, eb). Burn by Isabel Ibañez (r, ya, v, tp). House by Alix E. Harrow (r, h, hc).
phen King (r, c, h, pb). SOURCEBOOKS CASABLANCA Nov ’24: Hex You by P.C. Cast & Suite 13 by David J. Schow (c, hc,
SIMON & SCHUSTER/ Feb ’25: Charming Devil by Kristin Cast (r, ya, tp). This Cursed eb).
SAGA PRESS Rebecca Kenney (v, tp, eb). Light by Emily Thiede (r, ya, v, tp). Dec ’24: Blade of Dream by
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Place by Peter S. Beagle (r, tp). The Nov ’24: Getting Away With Ibañez (hc, eb). and Silences by Lucius Shepard
Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Murder by Kathryn Foxfield (1st Dec ’24: What the Woods Took (c, hc, eb). Ship of Destiny by
Kwan (tp, eb). US, ya, h, tp, eb). Snow Drowned by Courtney Gould (ya, h, hc, eb). Robin Hobb (r, hc). Velveteen vs
Nov ’24: The Serpent and the by Jennifer D. Lyle (ya, h, tp, eb). Jan ’25: Breath of the Dragon by The Early Adventures by Seanan
Wolf by Rebecca Robinson (v, hc, SOURCEBOOKS LANDMARK Shannon Lee & Fonda Lee (hc, eb). McGuire (c, hc).
eb). The West Wind by Alexandria Oct ’24: Libby, Lost and Found Feb ’25: Needy Little Things by Jan ’25: Demon Daughter by
Warwick (r, tp). by Stephanie Booth (hc, eb). Channelle Desamours (ya, hc, eb). Lois McMaster Bujold (r, hc). House
Dec ’24: Von Bek: The Eternal Nov ’24: The Estate by Sarah The Wildest Things by Andrea of Chains by Steven Erikson (r, hc).
Champion by Michael Moorcock Jost (tp, eb). Hannah (ya, hc, eb). The Orb of Cairado by Katherine
(r, hc). Dec ’24: The Peculiar Garden of Mar ’25: Our Infinite Fates by Addison (na, hc). Termination
Jan ’25: Pinquickle’s Folly by Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen Laura Steven (ya, v, hc, eb). Shock by Neal Stephenson (r, hc).
R.A. Salvatore (r, tp). The Reforma- (tp, eb). Apr ’25: Give Up the Night by Feb ’ 25: Deadhouse Gates
tory by Tananarive Due (r, h, tp). SOURCEBOOKS/ P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast (ya, hc, eb). by Steven Erikson (r, hc). Light
Feb ’25: The Angel of Indian BLOOM BOOKS Pride or Die by CL Montblanc (ya, Bringer by Pierce Brown (r, hc).
Lake by Stephen Graham Jones Oct ’24: A Chill in the Flame by h, hc, eb). Where Shadows Meet Mar ’25: Dark Carnival by Ray
(r, h, tp). The Will of the Many by Piper CJ (v, tp, eb). Wolf Girl by Leia by Patrice Caldwell (ya, v, hc, eb). Bradbury (r, c, hc). The Gathering
James Islington (r, tp). The Witch Stone (r, v, tp). May ’25: Out of Air by Rachel by C.J. Tudor (r, h, hc). Jump Tribe
of Whispervale by R.A. Salvatore Nov ’24: Lost Girl by Leia Stone Reiss (h, hc, eb). Salvación by by Clive Barker (c, hc, eb).
(hc, eb). (r, v, tp). Sandra Proudman (hc, eb). Apr ’25: Dear Lord Akeldama
Mar ’25: The Buffalo Hunter SOURCEBOOKS/ Jun ’25: Rewind to Us by Molly & Parasolverse Ephemera by
Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones POISONED PEN PRESS Morris (ya, v, hc, eb). Gail Carriger (r, c, hc). Jade War by
(h, hc, eb). The Haunting of Velk- Mar ’25: Blood on Her Tongue Jul ’ 25: Soul of Shadow by Fonda Lee (r, hc).
wood by Gwendolyn Kiste (r, tp). by Johanna Van Veen (h, tp, eb). Emma Noyes (v, hc, eb). May ’25: All the Ash We Leave
The Innkeeper’s Song by Peter SPARKPOINT STUDIO/ Aug ’25: The Good Vampire’s Behind by C. Robert Cargill (na, hc,
S. Beagle (r, tp). SPARKPRESS Guide to Blood and Boyfriends eb). The City We Became by N.K.
Apr ’25: Court of Wanderers by Oct ’24: Lifers by Keith G. Mc- by Jamie D’Amato (ya, hc, eb). Jemisin (r, hc).
Rin Chupeco (r, tp). A Gentleman Walter (tp, eb). Woven from Clay by Jenny Birch Jun ’25: The God Is Not Will-
and His Vowsmith by Rebecca Ide SPRINGER (ya, hc, eb). ing by Steven Erikson (r, hc). The
(tp, eb). When We Were Real by Nov ’24: Planets of the Known STARK HOUSE Mercy of Gods by James S. A .
Daryl Gregory (hc, eb). Galaxy: Facts and Fiction About Nov ’24: Final War and Other Corey (r, hc).
May ’25: I’m Afraid You’ve Got the Nearest Stars and Their Fantasies/In the Pocket and Jul ’25: Absolution by Jeff Van-
Dragons by Peter S. Beagle (r, Worlds by Kevin J.E. Walsh (nf, Other S-F Stories by Barry N. derMeer (r, hc). Absolution Gap
tp). Mother London by Michael tp, eb). Malzberg (om, tp). by Alastair Reynolds (r, hc). Bright
Moorcock (r, tp). Sestia by G.R. Mar ’25: Visions of Tomorrow: Dec ’24: She Who Sleeps / Dead Star by Caitlín R. Kiernan
Macallister (hc, eb). The South Exploring Classic Sci-Fi Stories Moon of Madness by Sax Rohmer (c, hc, eb).
Wind by Alexandria Warwick (tp, Through the Lens of Modern (om, tp, eb). Aug ’25: The Dagger in Vichy
eb). Space Oddity by Catherynne Science by Stephen Webb, ed. STARS AND SABERS by Alastair Reynolds (na, hc, eb).
M. Valente (r, tp). (an, tp, eb). Feb ’25: Of Shadows, Stars, Penric and the Bandit by Lois Mc-
Jun ’25: The Flight of the Fallen ST. MARTIN’S and Sabers by Jendia Gammon & Master Bujold (r, na, hc). The Road
by Hana Lee (tp, eb). The Folded Oct ’24: I’ll Be Waiting by Kelley Gareth L. Powell, eds. (oa, tp, eb). to Roswell by Connie Willis (r, hc).
Sky by Elizabeth Bear (tp, eb). Armstrong (h, hc, eb). START/NIGHT SHADE Sep ’25: The Wisdom of Crowds
Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Nov ’24: The Mirror by Nora Nov ’24: The Best Horror of the by Joe Abercrombie (r, hc).
Roanhorse (r, tp). Roberts (v, hc, eb). Year, Volume Sixteen by Ellen SUPERSTICERY PRESS
Jul ’25: A Forbidden Alchemy by Dec ’24: The Shutouts by Gabri- Datlow, ed. (an, tp, eb). Oct ’24: City of Roses, Volume
Stacey McEwan (v, hc, eb). Killer elle Korn (hc, eb). START/PYR 4: – or Betty Martin by Kip Manley
on the Road / The Babysitter Jan ’25: All the Water in the Oct ’24: The Year’s Best Dark (tp, eb).
Lives by Stephen Graham Jones World by Eiren Caffall (hc, eb). Fantasy and Horror: Volume 5 by TACHYON PUBLICATIONS
(oc, h, tp, eb). The Last Wizards’ Lightfall by Ed Crocker (hc, eb). Paula Guran, ed. (an, tp, eb). 

LOCUS December 2024 / 51

  Forthcoming Books Aliens Collection: Living Night- and Other Disturbances by Eric Trek: The Autobiography of Mr.
mares by Anonymous, ed. (om, x, LaRocca (r, oc, h, pb). When the Spock by Una McCormack (r, x,
Feb ’25: The Book of Atrix pb, eb). Conan: Cult of the Obsid- Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cas- tp). These Dreaming Spires by
Wolfe by Patricia McKillip (r, tp, ian Moon by James Lovegrove (x, sidy (h, pb, eb). Marie O’Regan & Paul Kane, eds.
eb). hc, eb). Firefly: Aim to Misbehave May ’25: The Butcher’s Daugh- (an, hc, eb). Threads of Power #2
Mar ’25: One Level Up by Mary by Rosiee Thorn (x, hc, eb). Run- ter by Corinne Leigh Clark & David by V.E. Schwab (hc, eb). To Play
G. Thompson (na, tp, eb). escape: The Fall of Hallowvale Demchuk (h, hc, eb). Dead Space: the Wolf by Sarah Maria Griffin (h,
Apr ’25: Jules, Penny, & the by Robbie MacNiven (x, pb, eb). Catalyst by Brian Evenson (r, x, tp). tp, eb). The Undetectables: The
Rooster by Daniel Pinkwater (na, Star Wars Bestiary, Vol. 1 by S.T. Death on the Caldera by Emily Unfathomable Curse by Courtney
ya, tp, eb). Bende & Iris Compiet (pi, art, x, Paxman (pb, eb). The Grimoire Smyth (tp, eb). We Are Always
May ’25: The Adventures of hc). Titanchild by Jen Williams Grammar School Parent Teacher Tender with Our Dead by Eric
Mar y Darling by Pat Murphy (hc, eb). Association by Caitliin Rozakis LaRocca (h, hc, eb).
(tp, eb). Dec ’24: Aliens: Bishop by T.R. (pb, eb). Sea of Thieves: The Art TOR
Jun ’25: If Wishes Were Retail Napper (r, x, pb). The Art of End- of Piracy by Chris Allcock (pi, art, Oct ’24: Monstrous Nights by
by Auston Habershaw (tp, eb). less Legend by Amplitude (ya, x, x, hc). A Spell for Change by Ni- Genoveva Dimova (tp, eb). Prin-
Jul ’25: SpaceShips! Ray Guns! hc). Destiny Grimoire Anthology, cole Jarvis (tp, eb). When Among cess of Dune by Brian Herbert &
Martian Octopods!: An Oral Vol. VII: Penumbra by Anony- Crows by Veronica Roth (r, na, Kevin J. Anderson (r, tp). Usurpa-
History of Science Fiction by mous, ed. (an, x, hc, eb). Miss tp). The Year of the Mer by L.D. tion by Sue Burke (hc, eb).
Richard Wolinsky, ed. (nf, tp, eb). Amelia’s List by Mercedes Lackey Lewis (tp, eb). Nov ’24: Breath of Oblivion by
The Unkillable Frank Lightning (pb, eb). The Salt Grows Heavy Jun ’25: Black Panther: Pan- Maurice Broaddus (hc, eb). The
by Josh Rountree (h, tp, eb). by Cassandra Khaw (r, na, h, pb). ther’s Rage by Sheree Renée Fate of Silent Gods by Scott
TELOS UK Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey Thomas (r, x, tp, eb). Conan: City Drakeford (hc, eb). The Ghost
Feb ’25: The Fantastic Art of (r, pb). World of Warcraft: The of the Dead by John C. Hocking (r, Brigades by John Scalzi (r, tp).
Ron Turner by Ron Turner & John Voices Within by Anonymous, ed. om, x, pb). Ghost of the Neon God The Legacy of Arniston House
Lawrence (art, hc). (1st US, oa, hc, eb). by T.R. Napper (r, pb). Gryphon’s by T.L. Huchu (hc, eb). Old Man’s
TEMPLE DARK (IRELAND) Jan ’25: Alien: Seventh Circle Valor by Mercedes Lackey & Larry War by John Scalzi (r, tp). Over-
Apr ’25: Diatheses by Ishmael by Philippa Ballantine & Clara Dixon (hc, eb). Horror Movie by captain by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (hc,
A. Soledad (hc). Carija (x, pb, eb). Apostles of Mer- Paul Tremblay (r, pb). The Lady, eb). Overcaptain by L.E. Modesitt,
TENEBROUS PRESS cy by Lindsay Ellis (r, pb). At Dark the Tiger, and the Girl Who Jr. (r, tp). The Relentless Legion
Nov ’24: Split Scream Volume I Become Loathsome by Eric Loved Death by Helen Marshall by J.S. Dewes (tp, eb). Wheel of
Six by Alex Ebenstein, ed. (oa, LaRocca (h, hc, eb). At the Fount (pb, eb). Maria the Wanted by V. the Infinite by Martha Wells (r, tp).
tp, eb). of Creation by Tobi Ogundiran Castro (h, tp, eb). Of Flesh and Witch Queen of Redwinter by Ed
Dec ’24: All Your Friends Are (na, hc, eb). Captain America: The Blood by N.L. Lavin & Hunter McDonald (hc, eb).
Here by M. Shaw (c, tp, eb). Shield of Sam Wilson by Jesse J. Burke (h, pb, eb). The Secret Ro- Dec ’24: The Great Hunt: The
THE QUICK BROWN FOX/ Holland, ed. (x, hc, eb). Mother of mantic’s Book of Magic by Marie Graphic Novel: Volume One by
ALCOVE Rome by Lauren J.A. Bear (tp, eb). O’Regan & Paul Kane, eds. (an, hc, Robert Jordan & Rik Hoskin, et al.
Apr ’25: The Gods Time Forgot Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by eb). Small Town Horror by Ronald (gn, art, tp). Heartsong by TJ Klune
by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez (v, Clay McLeod Chapman (h, tp, eb). Malfi (r, h, tp). (r, tp). The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport
hc, eb). Feb ’25: The Butcher of the Jul ’25: The Babysitter Lives by Samit Basu (r, tp). The Parlia-
May ’25: Disco Witches of Fire Forest by Premee Mohamed (r, by Stephen Graham Jones (na, h, ment by Aimee Pokwatka (r, tp).
Island by Blair Fell (v, tp, hc, eb). na, pb). The Crimson Road by A.G. tp, eb). Basilisk by Matt Wixey (h, Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher (r, na,
THE QUICK BROWN FOX/ Slatter (pb, eb). Destiny’s Way tp, eb). Daughters of Flood and tp). Wind and Truth by Brandon
ALCOVE PRESS by Jack Campbell (tp, eb). Doc- Fury by Gabriella Buba (tp, eb). Sanderson (hc, eb).
Feb ’25: The Spirit Collection tor Strange: Dimension War by The Gryphon King by Sara Omer Jan ’25: The Atlas Complex by
of Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas James Lovegrove (r, x, tp). Future’s (tp, eb). Halo: Broken Circle by Olivie Blake (r, tp). The Bezzle by
(h, tp, hc, eb). Edge by Gareth L. Powell (pb, eb). John Shirley (1st US, x, pb). Red Cory Doctorow (r, tp). Kinning by
THE QUICK BROWN FOX/ Halo: Empty Throne by Jeremy Tempest Brother by H.M. Long Nisi Shawl (r, tp). The Teeth of
CROOKED LANE Patenaude (ya, x, pb, eb). Listen (pb, eb). Ultraman: Ultraseven Dawn by Marina Lostetter (hc, eb).
Jan ’25: Haunting and Homi- to Your Sister by Neena Viel (h, by Pat Cadigan (x, tp, eb). To Challenge Heaven by David
cide by Ava Burke (hc, eb). tp, eb). The Poorly Made and Aug ’25: Black Flame by Weber & Chris Kennedy (r, tp). Wa-
Mar ’25: Baby X by Kira Peikoff Other Things by Sam Rebelein Gretchen Felker-Martin (h, hc, terblack by Alex Pheby (hc, eb).
(r, tp). (c, tp, eb). Unhallowed Halls by eb). Cathedral of the Drowned Feb ’25: The Bones Beneath My
May ’25: The Memory Collec- Lili Wilkinson (ya, pb, eb). Upon by Nathan Ballingrud (na, h, hc, Skin by TJ Klune (r, hc). A Dragon
tors by Dete Meserve (tp, hc, eb). a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods (hc, eb). Guardians of the Galaxy: An- of Black Glass by James Rollins
Jun ’25: Of Flesh and Blood eb). What Feasts at Night by T. nihilation: Conquest by Brendan (hc, eb). Exadelic by Jon Evans
by N.L. Lavin & Hunter Burke (h, Kingfisher (r, h, pb). Deneen (r, x, tp). Ninshubar by (r, tp). The Last Colony by John
hc, tp, eb). Mar ’25: The Buffalo Hunt- Emily H. Wilson (tp, eb). Secret Scalzi (r, tp). Picks and Shovels
THREE ROOMS PRESS er Hunter by Stephen Graham Lives of the Dead by Tim Lebbon by Cory Doctorow (1st US, hc, eb).
Apr ’25: The Lies of a Toymaker Jones (h, hc, eb). The Classified (h, pb, eb). Projections by S.E. Porter (r, h, tp).
by Kelly Ann Jacobson (ya, tp, eb). Dossier: Sherlock Holmes and Sep ’25: Bad Dolls by Rachel Sanctum of the Soul by Kel Kade
TITAN BOOKS UK Dorian Gray by Christian Klaver Harrison (r, c, pb). A Blood As (hc, eb). Upon a Starlit Tide by
Oct ’24: All the Hearts You Eat (r, tp). Clockwork Boys by T. King- Bright as the Moon by Andrea Kell Woods (hc, eb). Zoe’s Tale by
by Hailey Piper (h, pb, eb). The fisher (r, hc). Dead Space: Martyr Morstabilini (h, tp, eb). Bound in John Scalzi (r, tp).
Bog Wife by Kay Chronister (h, tp, by B.K. Evenson (r, x, tp). In an Blood by Johnny Mains, ed. (r, an, Mar ’25: Archangels of Funk
eb). Christmas and Other Hor- Orchard Grown from Ash by Rory pb). Cabaret in Flames by Hache by Andrea Hairston (r, tp). Install-
rors by Ellen Datlow, ed. (r, oa, tp). Power (r, tp). The Naming Song Pueyo (na, hc, eb). Calypso by ment Immortality by Seanan
A Christmas Ghost Story by Kim by Jedediah Berry (1st US, tp, eb). Oliver K. Langmead (r, tp). The McGuire (tp, eb). The Martian
Newman (h, hc, eb). Cold Snap by Apr ’25: The Art of Destiny, Vol- Captive by Kit Burgoyne (h, hc, Contingency by Mary Robinette
Lindy Ryan (na, h, hc, eb). Coup de ume 3 by Michael Owen (pi, art, eb). Demon Song by Kelsea Yu Kowal (tp, hc, eb). Necrobane by
Grâce by Sofia Ajram (oa, h, hc, x, hc). Captain Marvel: Shadow (na, h, hc, eb). The Enduring Daniel M. Ford (r, tp). The Sunlit
eb). The Dead Take the A Train Code by Gilly Segal (r, x, tp). City Universe by Kritika H. Rao (pb, Man by Brandon Sanderson (r,
by Cassandra Khaw & Richard of All Seasons by Oliver K. Lang- eb). Fiend by Alma Katsu (h, pb, tp). The Tomb of Dragons by
Kadrey (r, h, pb). The Hollow and mead & Aliya Whiteley (pb, eb). eb). Frankenstein’s Monster by Katherine Addison (hc, eb). When
the Haunted by Camilla Raines (v, Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah J.S. Barnes (h, tp, eb). Guillotine the Moon Hits Your Eye by John
tp, eb). House of Bone and Rain Maria Griffin (h, tp, eb). House of by Delilah S. Dawson (r, h, pb). Scalzi (hc, eb).
by Gabino Iglesias (1st US, h, pb, Blight by Maxym M. Martineau House of Idyll by Delilah S. Daw- Apr ’25: Advocate by Daniel M.
eb). Loki: Journey Into Mystery (v, pb, eb). Myrrh by Polly Hall (r, son (h, hc, eb). The Night Birds by Ford (hc, tp, eb). Eat the Ones
by Katherine Locke (r, x, tp). Mar- h, pb). A Palace Near the Wind: Christopher Golden (1st US, h, pb, You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin
ginal by Tom Carlisle (h, pb). The Natural Engines by Ai Jiang (hc, eb). Out of the Drowning Deep (ya, h, hc, eb). Gifted & Talented
Narrows by Ronald Malfi (h, pb, eb). Return to Silent Hill by John by A.C. Wise (r, na, tp). The Pale by Olivie Blake (hc, eb). Lyorn by
eb). Shadow of the Endless by Passarella (h, pb, eb). Robotech: House Devil by Richard Kadrey (r, Steven Brust (r, tp). Notes from
Stephen Gaskell (pb, eb). Where The Masters Saga: The Southern h, pb). The Raven and the Rein- a Regicide by Isaac Fellman (hc,
the Dead Brides Gather by Nuzo Cross, Vols. 7-9 by Jack McKin- deer by T. Kingfisher (r, hc). Roots eb). Rakesfall by Vajra Chan-
Onoh (c, h, pb, eb). ney (r, om, x, tp). Senseless by of My Fears: Terrifying Stories drasekera (r, tp).
Nov ’24: The Art & Making of Ronald Malfi (h, hc, eb). Song of of Ancestral Horror by Gemma May ’25: Anji Kills a King by
Spellbound by Ramin Zahed, ed. the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin (r, Amor, ed. (an, tp, eb). Sestia by Evan Leikam (tp, eb). The Daugh-
(pi, art, hc, eb). The Complete ya, tp). This Skin Was Once Mine G.R. Macallister (1st US, pb). Star ters’ War by Christopher Buehl-

52 / LOCUS December 2024

man (r, tp). Deliverance of Drag- Guy Dies First by Terry J. Benton- Apr ’25: Cold Eternity by S.A. eyeater by Kathleen Jennings (hc,
ons by Mercedes Lackey & James Walker, ed. (r, oa, ya, tp). Barnes (h, hc, eb). Mapping the eb). Making History by K.J. Parker
Mallory (tp, hc, eb). The Devils by Sep ’25: The Lies We Conjure Interior by Stephen Graham Jones (na, tp, eb). The Tusks of Extinc-
Joe Abercrombie (hc, eb). Harmat- by Sarah Henning (r, ya, h, tp). She (r, na, h, tp, eb). Oracle by Thomas tion by Ray Nayler (r, na, tp).
tan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi Waits for You Beyond the Dark Olde Heuvelt (r, h, tp). When the TRAUM BOOKS (GERMANY)
(hc, eb). The Incandescent by by Kristen Simmons (r, ya, h, tp). Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy Oct ’24: Maej by Dale Stromberg
Emily Tesh (r, hc, eb). Service TOR/BRAMBLE (h, tp, eb). (tp, eb).
Model by Adrian Tchaikovsk y Nov ’24: The Ashes & the Star- May ’25: Overgrowth by Mira TWB PRESS
(r, tp). Cursed King by Carissa Broad- Grant (h, hc, eb). Oct ’24: The Gift from Aelius by
Jun ’25: Blood Jade by Julia Vee bent (r, v, tp). Fall of Ruin and Jun ’25: American Rapture by Michael Colon (na, tp, eb).
& Ken Bebelle (r, tp). Bury Our Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout (r, CJ Leede (r, h, tp). Bury Your Gays UNIVERSITY OF IOWA PRESS
Bones in the Midnight Soil by v, tp). The Songbird & the Heart by Chuck Tingle (r, h, tp). Girl in Nov ’24: The Man in the Banana
V.E. Schwab (hc, eb). A Far Bet- of Stone by Carissa Broadbent the Creek by Wendy N. Wagner Trees by Marguerite Sheffer (c,
ter Thing by H.G. Parry (hc, eb). (na, v, hc, eb). (h, hc, eb). tp, eb).
The Potency of Ungovernable Jan ’25: The Night Is Defying Jul ’25: The Library at Hellebore UNIVERSITY OF
Impulses by Malka Older (hc, eb). by Chloe C. Peñaranda (v, hc, eb). by Cassandra Khaw (h, hc, eb). MINNESOTA PRESS
Rogue Sequence by Zac Topping Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle (h, hc, Oct ’24: Kree by Manuela Drae-
(r, tp). Running Close to the Wind (r, v, tp). eb). The Monster of Elendhaven ger (tp, eb).
by Alexandra Rowland (r, hc, eb). Feb ’25: Gothikana by RuNyx (r, by Jennifer Giesbrecht (r, na, h, tp). UNIVERSITY OF
The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons v, tp). Swordheart by T. Kingfisher Aug ’25: Black Flame by Gretch- WISCONSIN PRESS
(r, tp). The Witch Roads by Kate (v, hc, eb). What Lies Beyond the en Felker-Martin (h, tp, eb). Cathe- Mar ’25: A Thing Is Only Known
Elliott (hc, eb). Veil by Harper L. Woods (1st US, v, dral of the Drowned by Nathan When It’s Gone by Joe Baumann
Jul ’25: The Doors of Midnight tp, eb). Wooing the Witch Queen Ballingrud (na, h, tp, eb). A Mask (c, tp, eb).
by R.R. Virdi (r, tp, eb). Ghost by Stephanie Burgis (v, tp, eb). of Flies by Matthew Lyons (r, h, tp). UNIVERSITY PRESS OF
Cell by Zac Topping (hc). Glass Mar ’25: Alchemy and a Cup Sep ’25: The Autumn Springs MISSISSIPPI
Houses by Madeline Ashby (r, of Tea by Rebecca Thorne (v, tp, Massacre by Philip Fracassi (hc, Apr ’25: King Noir: The Crime
tp). The Lighthouse at the Edge eb). Chaos by Constance Fay (v, eb). Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Fiction of Stephen King by Tony
of the World by J.R. Dawson (hc, tp, eb). Go Luck Yourself by Sara Compton (r, h, tp). Spread Me by Magistrale & Michael J. Blouin (nf,
eb). Pearl City by Julia Vee & Ken Raasch (v, tp, eb). Slaying the Sarah Gailey (h, hc, eb). tp, hc, eb).
Bebelle (hc, eb). The Prestige by Vampire Conqueror by Carissa TOR/STARSCAPE UNNERVING
Christopher Priest (tp). A Sorcer- Broadbent (r, v, hc, eb). Tea You Apr ’25: Abeni and the King- Jan ’25: Dark Worlds We Wan-
ess Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher at the Altar by Rebecca Thorne dom of Gold by P. Djèlí Clark der by Kristin Kirby (c, tp, hc, eb).
(r, tp). Volatile Memory by Seth (v, tp, eb). What Hunts Inside the (hc, eb). WALKER UK
Haddon (na, hc, eb). Shadows by Harper L. Woods (r, TORDOTCOM Nov ’24: The Hotel Balzaar by
Aug ’25: Automatic Noodle by v, tp, eb). Oct ’24: The Wolfe at the Door Kate DiCamillo (1st US, na, ya,
Annalee Newitz (na, hc, eb). The Apr ’25: Enigma by RuNyx (r, by Gene Wolfe (r, c, tp). hc, eb).
End of All Things by John Scalzi v, tp). Firebird by Juliette Cross Jan ’ 25: Adrif t in Currents WATTPAD BOOKS
(r, tp). The Human Division by (v, hc, eb). Reluctant Witch by Clean and Clear by Seanan Mc- Mar ’25: Changes by Bella Hig-
John Scalzi (r, tp). The Legacy of Melissa Marr (ya, v, tp, eb). What Guire (na, hc, eb). At the Fount of gin (ya, v, hc, eb).
Arniston House by T.L. Huchu (r, Lurks Between the Fates by Creation by Tobi Ogundiran (na, WINGED HICKORY
tp). Lessons in Magic and Disas- Harper L. Woods (r, v, tp, eb). hc, eb). A Conventional Boy by Oct ’24: Lovelorn Squids from
ter by Charlie Jane Anders (hc, eb). May ’25: Behooved by M. Ste- Charles Stross (na, hc, eb). Exordia Outer Space by J.M. Hauer (v, tp,
Rumor Has It by Cat Rambo (r, tp). venson (v, tp, eb). What Sleeps by Seth Dickinson (r, tp). Murder- hc, eb).
Sub-Majer’s Challenge by L.E. Within the Cove by Harper L. bot Diaries Vol. 1 by Martha Wells WORD HORDE
Modesitt, Jr. (hc, eb). Woods (1st US, v, hc, eb). (om, tp). Murderbot Diaries Vol. Oct ’24: Glowing in the Dark by
Sep ’25: Arcanum Unbounded: Jun ’25: The Coven by Harper L. 2 by Martha Wells (om, tp). Mur- Orrin Grey (nf, a, tp, eb).
The Cosmere Collection by Bran- Woods (r, v, tp). The Spellshop by derbot Diaries Vol. 3 by Martha Jun ’25: Lost in the Dark and
don Sanderson (r, c, tp). Blood of Sarah Beth Durst (r, v, tp). Wells (om, tp). Other Excursions by John Langan
the Old Kings by Sung-Il Kim (r, Jul ’25: The Enchanted Green- Feb ’25: But Not Too Bold by (c, tp, eb).
tp). Dune: The Butlerian Jihad by house by Sarah Beth Durst (v, hc, Hache Pueyo (na, hc, eb). WORDFIRE PRESS
Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson eb). Never the Roses by Jennifer Mar ’25: Murder by Memory by Oct ’24: Horror and Dark Fan-
(r, pb). The House in the Cerulean K. Lambert (hc, eb). The Songbird Olivia Waite (na, hc, eb). The River tasy Stories, Volume 1 by Kevin J.
Sea by TJ Klune (r, tp). Legends & the Heart of Stone by Carissa Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (na, Anderson (c, tp, hc, eb). Science
& Lattes by Travis Baldree (r, hc). Broadbent (r, na, v, tp). hc, eb). Rose/House by Arkady Fiction Stories, Volume 2 by
Love Bites by Cynthia St. Aubin Aug ’25: The Cursed by Harper Martine (r, na, hc, eb). Twice Lived Kevin J. Anderson (c, tp, hc, eb).
(tp, eb). The Maiden and Her L. Woods (r, v, tp). Hemlock & by Joma West (r, tp). Shadows & Verse by Jonathan
Monster by Maddie Mar tinez Silver by T. Kingfisher (hc, eb). Apr ’25: Don’t Sleep With the Maberry, ed. (pm, ya, art, eb).
(hc, eb). The Naming Song by Sep ’25: The Entanglement of Dead by Nghi Vo (na, hc, eb). Nov ’24: Horror and Dark Fan-
Jedediah Berry (r, tp). Observer Rival Wizards by Sara Raasch Psychopomp and Circumstance tasy Stories, Volume 2 by Kevin
by Robert Lanza & Nancy Kress (v, tp, eb). The Stars Are Dying by Eden Royce (na, hc, eb). A View J. Anderson (c, tp, hc, eb). Neo-
(r, tp, eb). The Shattering Peace by Chloe C. Peñaranda (r, v, tp). from the Stars by Cixin Liu (r, c, tp). dymium Apocalypse: Part 1 by
by John Scalzi (hc, eb). Silver and Swordcrossed by Freya Marske (r, May ’25: Brighter than Scale, Jen Finelli (tp, hc, eb). Science Fic-
Lead by Seanan McGuire (hc, eb). v, tp). What Stalks the Deep by T. Swifter than Flame by Neon Yang tion Stories, Volume 3 by Kevin J.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Kingfisher (na, h, hc, eb). (tp). The Emilie Adventures by Anderson (c, tp, hc, eb).
TJ Klune (r, tp). To Clutch at a Ra- TOR/FORGE Martha Wells (om, ya, tp, eb). Monk Dec ’24: Fantasy Stories, Vol-
zor by Veronica Roth (na, hc, eb). Nov ’24: Deep Freeze by Mi- and Robot by Becky Chambers ume 2 by Kevin J. Anderson (c,
TOR ESSENTIALS chael C. Grumley (r, tp, eb). (om, tp, eb). tp, hc, eb). Mystic by Jonathan
Mar ’25: The Vampire Tapestry Jan ’25: Cold Storage by Mi- Jun ’25: Craft: Stories I Wrote Maberry (h, tp, hc, eb).
by Suzy McKee Charnas (r, h, tp). chael C. Grumley (hc, eb). for the Devil by Ananda Lima (r, Jan ’25: Neodymium Apoca-
TOR TEEN Apr ’25: The Edge of Yesterday tp). Tidal Creatures by Seanan lypse: Part 2 by Jen Finelli (tp,
Nov ’24: The Whispering Night by Rita Woods (hc, eb). Extinction McGuire (r, tp). hc, eb).
by Susan Dennard (ya, hc, eb). by Douglas Preston (r, h, tp). Jul ’25: The Memory of the Ogisi Feb ’25: Residue by John Har-
Feb ’25: Infinity Alchemist by TOR/NIGHTFIRE by Moses Ose Utomi (hc). The rison (tp, hc, eb). Weird Wilder-
Kacen Callender (r, ya, tp). Oct ’24: The Dead Take the A West Passage by Jared Pechacek ness by Lisa Mangum & Jessica
Mar ’25: She Waits for You Train by Cassandra Khaw & Rich- (r, tp). Guernsey, eds. (oa, tp, hc, eb).
Beyond the Dark by Kristen Sim- ard Kadrey (r, h, tp). I am Legend Aug ’25: Asunder by Kerstin Mar ’25: Stiffs & Stones by
mons (ya, h, hc, eb). by Richard Matheson (r, tp). Hall (r, tp). Mindscape by Andrea Kevin J. Anderson (c, tp, hc, eb).
Apr ’25: Blood Justice by Terry Feb ’25: Boys in the Valley by Hairston (r, hc, eb). Apr ’25: Horn Dogs by Kevin J.
J. Benton-Walker (r, ya, tp). Chaos Phillip Fracassi (r, h, tp). Ghost Sep ’25: Cabaret in Flames by Anderson (tp, hc, eb).
King by Kacen Callender (ya, hc, Station by S.A. Barnes (r, h, tp). Hache Pueyo (na, hc, eb). Daeda- ZANDO
eb). Legion by William Peter Blatty lus Is Dead by Seamus Sullivan Oct ’24: Roland Rogers Isn’t
May ’25: Witchlight by Susan (r, h, tp). (na, hc, eb). Extremity by Nicholas Dead Yet by Samantha Allen (v,
Dennard (ya, hc, eb). Mar ’25: Diavola by Jennifer Binge (na, hc, eb). Fate’s Bane by tp, eb).
Aug ’25: The E xecutioners Thorne (r, h, tp). First Light by Liz C.L. Clark (hc, eb). The Gnomes of Apr ’25: Freakslaw by Jane Flett
Three by Susan Dennard (ya, hc, Kerin (r, h, tp). Rose of Jericho by Lychford by Paul Cornell (na, tp, (h, hc, eb). 
eb). Scorched Earth by Danielle Alex Grecian (h, hc, eb). White eb). The Heist of Hollow London
L. Jensen (ya, hc, eb). The White Line Fever by KC Jones (h, tp, eb). by Eddie Robson (r, hc, eb). Hon-

LOCUS December 2024 / 53

 MAGAZINES RECEIVED – OCTOBER

Analog Science Fiction and Fact <www. S. Bond, and others. Cover by Ron Miller. Flash Point SF <flashpointsf.com>–Thom- Special quarterly issue of Strange Hori-
analogsf.com>Trevor Quachri, ed. Vol. 144 Issue #167 features the conclusion of the as J. Griffin & M.A. Dosser eds, October/ zons with translated speculative fiction
Nos. 11 & 12, November/December 2024, serial by Edmund Glasby, and stories by November 2024, free online, biweekly. in both English and its original language.
$8.99, bimonthly, 208pp, 15 x 21½ cm. Philip E. High, Nelson S. Bond, and others. Flash fiction SF and fantasy site. In Octo- This issue has fiction Anna Martino (Anna
Hard SF magazine with fiction by Shane Cover by Ron Miller. ber and November, the site posted short Martino, trans.) and Nanpai Sanshu (Xuet-
Tourtellotte, Auston Habershaw, Sean fiction by S.R. Kriger and others. ing C. Ni, trans.); plus poetry by Bindu Tiji
McMullen, Jenny Williams, David Cleden, Clarkesworld <www.clarkesworldmaga- (Lakshmy Nair, trans.).
and others; non-fiction; poetry; reviews; zine.com>–Neil Clarke, ed. Issue #218, Fusion Fragment <fusionfragment.com>–
November 2024, free online or $3.99 Cavan Terrill, ed. Issue #23, November Speculative Insight <www.speculativein-
etc. Cover by Shutterstock. sight.com>–Alexandra Pierce, ed., No-
digital/$13.99 print + digital, monthly. SF/ 2024, online pay-what-you-want or pur-
Dreams & Nightmares <dreamsandnight- fantasy magazine with fiction from Resa chase a hardcover through Blurb, 140 pp. vember 2024, free/paid, monthly. New
maresmagazine.com>–David C. Kopaska- Nelson, D.A. Xiaolin Spires, E.N. Auslender, Online speculative fiction magazine with online literary journal that publishes two
Merkel, ed. Issue No. 128, September 2024, Raahem Alvi, Claire Jia-Wen, A.W. Prihan- fiction from Tomas Ha, Bogi Takács, Caitlin nonfiction essays a month (one free and
$5.00 print/$1.00 digital, irregular, 24pp, dita, Oliver Stifel, and Michael Swanwick; Sweet, and others. Cover by Caitlin Fowler. one only available to subscribers) that
13.5 x 21.5 cm. SF and fantasy poetry essays; and interviews. Cover by Pablo ‘‘explores the breadth and depth of the
Lightspeed Magazine <www.lightspeed- themes, ideas, and issues of science
magazine with work by Ruth Berman, Munoz Gomez. magazine.com>–John Joseph Adams, ed.
Robert Borski, Brian Brennan, Mary Soon fiction and fantasy.’’ This month’s issue
Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores <cos- Issue #174, November 2024, free online includes essays by Tansy Rayner Roberts
Lee, and others. Cover by Charles Saplak. or $4.99 ebook, monthly. Online SF/fan-
microotsandeldritchshores.com>–Fran and Mary Fan.
Online Magazines Eisemann, ed. October/November 2024, tasy magazine with fiction from Ashok K.
Apex Magazine <www.apex-magazine. free online. Genre fiction magazine with Banker, Hammond Diehl PH Lee, and oth- Strange Horizons <www.strangehorizons.
com>–Lesley Conner, ed. Issue #147, stories, podcast and reviews. In October ers; author spotlights; and reviews. Cover com>–Gautam Bhatia, et al., eds. October/
November 2024, free online or $4.99 per and November, the site posted a story by by Tithi Luadthong (aka Grandfailure). November 2024, free, weekly. Speculative
issue; bimonthly. SF/fantasy/horror mag- E.E. King and more. fiction magazine with fiction by Gabrielle
Nightmare Magazine <www.nightmare- Emem Harry, Adeline Wong, AnaMaria
azine. Original fiction by Rachel Bolton, magazine.com>–Wendy N. Wagner, ed.
Rachael Severino, Danny Cherry Jr, and The Dark <www.thedarkmagazine.com>– Curtis, and others; poetry; articles; col-
Sean Wallace, ed. Issue #114, November Issue #146, November 2024, free online umns; and reviews. New issues are
others; reprinted fiction; interviews; and or $3.99 ebook, monthly. Horror/dark
articles. Cover by Silvia Asya Yordanova. 2024, free online or digital available for posted each Monday. Covers by Tahlia
$1.99-$2.99, monthly. Dark fantasy and fantasy magazine with fiction by Raven Day and Shan.
Aurealis <www.aurealis.com.au>–Dirk horror magazine. This issue includes Jakubowski, Caroline Hung, and R.K.
Duncan; essays; author spotlights; poetry; The Sunday Morning Transport <www.sun-
Strasser, ed. No. 176, November 2024, original fiction by Seán Padraic Birnie and daymorningtransport.com> – Julian Yap &
$2.99, 10 times a year (every month except Françoise Harvey, and reprints by Michael and a review. Cover by White Raven/
Shutterstock. Fran Wilde, November 2024. Speculative
January and December). Australian SF/F Kelly and Rhys Hughes. Cover by Russell fiction magazine publishing one story
magazine. This issue includes fiction from Smeaton. Pulp Literature <pulpliterature.com>–Jen- per week at the paid level, and one story
John Ter Horst, Matt Tighe, and Stephen nifer Landels, et al. eds. No. 43, Sum- per month at the free level. In November,
Higgins; non-fiction; and reviews. Escape Artists <escapeartists.net>–pro-
duces five weekly podcasts: Escape Pod mer2024, C$18.00, quarterly, 212pp, 13½ x the site published stories by LD Lewis,
Beneath Ceaseless Skies <www.beneath- <escapepod.org> Valerie Valdes & Mur 20½ cm. Canadian magazine dedicated to Michelle Muenzler, Christina Rosso, and
ceaseless-skies.com>–Scott H. Andrews, Lafferty, eds. (SF), PodCastle <podcastle. pulp literature. This issue includes fiction Mary Robinette Kowal.
ed. Issue #419, October 31, 2024, free on- org> Shingai Njeri Kagunda & Eleanor R. from Matthew Hughes, Finnian Burnett, KT
Wagner, and others; interviews; a graphic Tangent Online <tangentonline.com>–
line, biweekly. Literary fantasy/adventure Wood, eds. (fantasy), PseudoPod <pseu- Dave Truesdale, ed. November 2024, free
magazine. This issue includes stories by dopod.org> Shawn Garrett & Alex Hofe- story; poetry; etc. Cover by Joyce Harumi
Kamikura. online. Short fiction SF and fantasy review
Auton Habershaw, Heather Clitheroe, lich, eds. (horror), Cast of Wonders <www. magazine including reviews of genre mag-
and Greg Kurzawa. Cover by Philipp A. castofwonders.org> Katherine Inskip, ed. Reactor <reactormag.com>–Tom Doherty, azines, online and electronic publications,
Urlich. Issue #420, November 14, 2024 has (YA) and CatsCast <escapeartists.net/ Patrick Nielsen Hayden, et al., eds. Octo- and selected collections and anthologies;
stories by Will Greatwich, Miranda Rain, catscast> Laura Pearlman, ed. (specula- ber/November 2024, free online. Rebrand- as well as articles and essays.
and Megan Arkenberg. Cover by Nele Diel. tive fiction cat stories). Free online. Genre ed Tor.com website. Macmillan house site Uncanny Magazine <www.uncannymaga-
podcasts of both original and previously publishing fiction and articles including zine.com>–Lynne M. Thomas & Michael
Black Cat Weekly <blackcatweekly.com>– published stories with accompanying text. original fiction from Emma J. Gibbon,
John Betancourt, ed. Issue #165, $2.99 Damian Thomas, and Monte Lin, eds. Issue
Kaaron Warren, Michael Swanwick, PH #61, November/December 2024, $3.99
digital, weekly. Reprint SF and mystery The Fabulist Flash <fabulistmagazine.com/ Lee, and others; novel excerpts; rereads/
digital magazine. This issue has SFF category/words/the-fabulist-flash>–Josh digital only, bimonthly. Science fiction and
rewatches of novels and television shows; fantasy magazine with fiction, non-fiction,
stories by Bram Stoker, Donna Andrews, Wilson, ed., October/November, free news, reviews; articles, commentary; and
Christopher Lawrence Froehlich, and online, weekly. This site post one piece interviews, and poetry. This issue includes
interviews. fiction by Adrian Tchaikovsky, William
others. Cover by Ron Miller. Issue #166 of flash fiction every Friday. In October
includes part one of a serial of a fantasy and November, the site posted fiction by Samovar <samovar.strangehorizons. Alexander, Sonya Taaffe, Lauren Beukes,
novel by Edmund Glasby, as well as sto- Nicoletta Giuseffi, Don Mark Baldridge, com>–Laura Friis, Greg West, and Sarah Marissa Lingen, Naomi Day, and Angel
ries by Jay Kinney, Chad Gayle, Nelson Loren Rhoads, and others. Dodd, eds. October 2024, free, quarterly. Leal. Cover art by Julie Dillon. 

54 / LOCUS December 2024

 BOOKS RECEIVED – OCTOBER

Compiled by Liza Groen Trombi & (Harper, 978-0-06-339614-2, $28.99, edition follows the Tor 2022 edition with *BrightFlame The Working (Water
Carolyn Cushman. Please send all cor- 339pp, hc) Novel with folklore and bonus story ‘‘Pages to Fill’’, and has sten- Dragon Publishing, 978-1-962538-94-7,
rections to Carolyn Cushman, c/o Locus. fairytale elements, about a teenage girl cilled edges and full-color endpapers $18.99, 398pp, tp) Contemporary fantasy
We will run all verified corrections. In raised in a lumber camp with a bear for illustrated by Carson Lowmiller. novel of witchcraft and climate crisis.
an effort to save space, we're dropping a brother; when a new boss sells the A coven seeks to stop a looming eco-
reprints from the listing, except for bear, she sets out to rescue him, even if *Barnes, Steven Star Wars: Mace disaster when fracking threatens an old-
special cases. it means meeting the devilish beings her Windu: The Glass Abyss (Penguin growth forest. A first novel. A hardcover
father’s warned her about. First US edi- Random House/Random House Worlds, edition (-96-1, $28.99) was announced
KEY: * = first edition + = first US edition tion (Harper Avenue Canada 6/25/24). 978-0-593-72343-2, $29.99, 384pp, hc, but not seen; ebook also available.
cover by Oliver Barrett) Star Wars tie-in
*Aguda, ‘Pemi Ghostroots (Norton, *Asher, E.B. This Will Be Fun (Harper- novel. A Barnes & Noble exclusive edi- *Brittain, C. Dale The Ill-Born Prince
978-1-324-06585-2, $26.99, 203pp, hc, Collins/Avon, 978-0-06-337136-1, $17.99, tion with pull-out poster (-87509-4) was (Daimbert Publishing, 979-8-3222-
cover by Day Brièrre) Collection of 12 404pp, tp, cover by Kate Forrester) Cozy also seen. Simulltaneous with the Del 3363-3, $14.95, 253pp, tp) Fantasy novel,
stories, often mixing the everyday and fantasy romance novel. Former heroes Rey UK edition; ebook also available. fourth in the Starlight Raven series In
the supernatural, set in Lagos, Nigeria, reunite for a royal wedding, only to have Copyrighted by Lucasfilm. the Yurt universe. Antonia, daughter of
two apparently new and some slightly to deal with unresolved issues and the Master of the wizards’ school, and Prince
revised. A first collection. Ebook also return of dark forces. Asher is a pen name *Beiko, S.M. The Door in Lake Mallion Walther, whose real father turned out to
available. for Bridget Morrissey, Emily Wibberley & (ECW Press, 978-1-77041-696-3, $17.95, be a renegade wizard, have their hands
Austin Siegemund-Broka. 353pp, tp) Young-adult fantasy novel, full trying to keep up with school, figure
*Almodóvar, Pedro The Last Dream second in the Brindlewatch Quintet.
(HarperVia, 978-0-06-334976-6, $26.00, out their relationship, and deal with
*Ashing-Giwa, Kemi This World Is Not Stagestruck teen Dunstan gets tossed dragons and wizard politics. A print-on-
xvii + 214pp, hc) Collection of 12 previ- Yours (Tor/Nightfire, 978-1-250-90186- into a lake with a magical door in its
ously unpublished stories, many with demand edition, the first print edition; an
6, $19.99, 163pp, tp) SF horror novella. depths, and discovers an alien world. e-book version came out 7/24 but was
autobiographical elements, others Rival human colonies attempt to settle Ebook aslo available. ECW Press, 665
gothic, humorous, or just askew, a di- not seen. Daimbert Publishing Enter-
a new planet that fights back. Ebook Gerard Street East, Toronto Ont M4M prises, <www.daimbert.com>.
verse selection from across 50 years by also available. 1Y2, Canada; <ecwpress.com>.
the noted screenwriter and director, who *Brody, A.L. Dating & Dismemberment
notes in his introduction that he doesn’t *Atwood, Margaret Paper Boat: New *Berry, Jedediah The Naming Song (Tor, (Entangled Amara, 978-1-64937-761-6,
distinguish between genres. A first col- and Selected Poems 1961-2023 (Pen- 978-1-250-90798-1, $28.99, 368pp, hc, $17.99, 344pp, tp) Darkly humorous
lection. Translated from the Spanish El guin Random House/Knopf, 978-0-593- cover by Will Staehle) Postapocalyptic horror rom-com. Legendary monster
último sueño (Penguin Random House 80264-9, $40.00, 580pp, hc) Collection literary fantasy novel set in a world where Darla Drake is tired of tormenting teen
Grupo Editorial 2023) by Frank Wynne, of over 300 poems, 32 not previously words are power, but then all the words campers, but gets territorial when Jarko
who provides a note. Simultaneous with collected, spanning Atwood’s career; went away, releasing nameless ghosts Murkvale tries to take over, and they fight
the UK (Harvill Secker) edition; ebook a number feature mythological figures and monsters, until the named fought to see who’s the bigger monster. Brody is
also available. and other themes of genre interest. back. One nameless courier travels by a pen name for thriller writer Jason Pinter.
Simultaneous with the McClelland & train, assigning names to those that need Ebook also available.
*Anderson, Kevin J. & Allyson Longueira, Stewart (Canada) and Chatto & Windus them, but accidentally releases a dream
eds. Feisty Felines and Other Fan- (UK) editions. A Borzoi book. Ebook also monster. Ebook also available.
tastical Familiars (WordFire Press, Brown, Rachel Manija & Sherwood Smith
available. Rebel (Book View Café, 978-1-63632-263-
978-1-68057-618-4, $16.99, vi + 321pp, *Blake, Olivie Januaries (Tordotcom,
tp) Original anthology of 22 stories and August, Riley The Last Gifts of the 978-1-250-33068-0, $28.99, 386pp, hc) 6, $14.99, 404pp, tp) Reprint (Book View
four poems about animal familiars. Au- Universe (Harlequin/Hanover Square, Collection of 14 stories, some original; Café 2017, not seen) young-adult posta-
thors include John Hartness, Mercedes 978-1-335-08179-7, $24.99, 279pp, tp, about half were originally published in pocalyptic Wild West SF novel, third in
Lackey, Jody Lynn Nye, and Steve Rasnic cover by Ing Lee) Reprint (self-published Blake’s self-published fairytale collec- The Change Quartet, in which people (and
Tem. Introduction by Executive Editors 2022, not seen) postapocalyptic SF novel tions. Illustrated by Paula Toriacio. This squirrels) have acquired strange powers.
Anderson & Longueira; edited by a team of an archivist traveling through space is a pen name for Alexene Farol Follmuth. This second edition is copyrighted 2017,
of students and published as a project looking for clues to what destroyed all Simultaneous with the Tor UK edition. 2024; any degree of revision is unknown.
of the Western Colorado University the civilizations in the galaxy. A first Ebook also available. Ebook also available. Book View Café, PO
Graduate Program in Creative Writing. novel. This is revised and copyrighted Box 1624, Cedar Crest NM 87008; <www.
A print-on-demand edition; a hardcover 2024; the degree of revision is unknown. *Bond, Charlotte The Bloodless Princes bookviewcafe.com>.
(-619-1, $36.99) was announced but not Ebook also available. (Tordotcom, 978-1-250-29077-9, $20.99,
147pp, hc, cover by Martina Fačková) *Burnham, Sophie Sargassa (Astra
seen; ebook also available. WordFire H o u s e/DAW, 9 7 8 - 0 -7 5 6 4 -1 9 3 6 - 3 ,
Press, <wordfirepress.com>. *Backman, David The Lightning in Fantasy novella, second in a duol-
the Collied Night (self-published, ogy begun in The Fireborn Blade. High $28.00, 404pp, hc, cover by Rebecca
*Anderson, Leslie J. The Unmothers 979-8-9911897-0-5, $18.49, 310pp, tp) Mage Saralene and Sir Maddileh visit the Yanovskaya) Alternate history SF novel,
(Quirk Books, 978 -1- 68369 - 429 - 8 , Near-future SF novel. A secret project afterlife to beg a boon from the Blood- the first in the Ex Romana trilogy set in
$18.99, 317pp, tp) Folk horror novel. A investigating the galaxy’s only known less Princes who rule there. Ebook also an alternate North America conquered
journalist goes to a small town to inves- stable wormhole is threatened. A first available. by the Roman empire. After her father’s
tigate a rumor that a horse has given novel. Ebook also available. assassination, Selah Kleios unexpect-
birth to a human boy, and uncovers dark *Bracken, Alexandra The Mirror of edly becomes Imperial Historian at 22,
secrets. A first novel. Baldree, Travis Bookshops & Bonedust Beasts (Penguin Random House/Knopf, and races to figure out the secrets of two
(Tor, 978-1-250-34275-1, $29.99, 332pp, 978-0-593-48169-1, $20.99, 484pp, hc, mysterious objects her father left with
*Anonymous, ed. Supernatural Tales hc, cover by John Golden) Reprint (Tor cover by Tomasz Majewski) Young-adult her. A first novel. Ebook also available.
from Japan (Tuttle, 978-4-8053-1853-9, 2024) fantasy novel, second in the Leg- dark fantasy novel.
$19.99, 158pp, hc, cover by Sakyu) An- ends & Lattes series but a prequel to the *Busby, R.A. You Will Speak for the
thology of 15 stories, seven by Lafcadio first. This deluxe edition has stencilled *Briggs, Katherine The Immortal Abyss Dead (Stelliform Press, 978-1-7383165-
Hearn and eight by Yei Theodora Ozaki, edges and full-color endpaoers illus- (Enclave Escape, 979-8-88605-146- 9-5, $15.99, 72pp, tp) Horror novella.
inspired by or retold from Japanese lore. trated by Carson Lowmiller. 9, $24.99, 338pp, hc, cover by Emilie Paul cleans out hoarders’ houses for a
This includes full page color illustrations Haney) Young-adult fantasy novel, living, but the latest home is alive inside,
by Sakyu. A paper-over-board edition; Baldree, Travis Legends & Lattes (Tor, second in the Threshold duology. Tol, an full of strange mushrooms and trying to
ebook also available. 978-1-250-34278-2, $17.99, 292pp, hc, orphan fire-wielder working with the Re- invade his mind. Stelliform Press <www.
cover by John Golden) Reprint (Cryptid bellion, quests to find her true purpose. stelliform.press>.
+Armstrong, Tammy Pearly Everlasting Press 2022) fantasy novel; this deluxe Ebook also available. 

LOCUS December 2024 / 55

  Books Received *Cole, Adrian The Dream Lords (Cir- Selene Shade, resurrectionist for hire, the Pineapple Cabaret, Part 3: Growler
sova, 978-1-960381-31-6, $25.00, 459pp, helps the police, deals with old rivals, Gary’’. Ebook also available.
*Calvin, Ritch Queering SF Comics: tp, cover by Anton Oxenuk) Omnibus and faces a killer. Ebook also available.
Readings (Aqueduct Press, 978-1- of the first three books in the Cole’s *Dixon, Ruby Bull Moon Rising (Ace,
61976-264-0, $19.00, 258pp, tp) Non-fict­ debut series The Dream Lords, origi- *Das, Indrapramit, ed. Deep Dream: 978-0-593-81702-5, $30.00, 409pp,
ion, a follow up to Queering SF, taking a nally published by Zebra as A Plague of Science Fiction Exploring the Future hc, cover by Kelly Wagner) Fantasy
critical look at how LGBTQ+ characters Nightmares (1975), Lord of Nightmares of Art (MIT Press, 978-0-26254-908-0, romance novel, the first in the Royal
and SF themes are treated in 45 SF (1975), and Bane of Nightmares (1976). $24.95, xi + 229pp, tp, cover by Diana Artifactual Guild series. Aspeth needs
comics from 2011-2022. The introduction The text has been slightly corrected and Scherer) Original anthology of ten stories to hunt magical artifacts to save her
looks at the history of comics, and how revised, as noted by Cole in his new intro- looking at ways art forms might change family’s hold, so to get around guild
queer writers have used the form. Ebook duction. This is a 50th anniversary edi- in the future, plus an interview with restrictions on females she bargains to
also available. Aqueduct Press, PO Box tion funded through Kickstarter. A hard- Neil Clarke by Archita Mittra. Authors marry a guildmember minotaur. This has
95787, Seattle WA 98145-2787; <www. cover (-32-3, $45.00) was announced but include Aliette de Bodard, Cassandra stained edges and illustrated full-color
aqueductpress.com not seen; ebook also available. Khaw, Bruce Sterling, and Wole Talabi. endpapers.
Illustrated by Scherer. Part of the Twelve
*Carpenter, Shawn The Price of Re- *Cole, Geoffrey W. Zebra Meridian and Tomorrows series. Ebook also available. *Dolan, Brian J. Notes from Star to Star
demption (Simon & Schuster/Saga Other Stories (Stelliform Press, 978-1- MIT Press, Cambridge MA 02142; <www. (Root Park, 979-8-334905986, $7.99,
Press, 978 -1- 6680 -3373 -9, $18 . 99, 7780926-9-5, C$24.99, 306pp, tp, cover mitpress.mit.edu>. 124pp, tp) SF novella about a woman
368pp, tp, cover by Ivan Belikov) Swash- by Rachel Yu Lobbenberg) Collection of who wakes alone in a spaceship with
buckling fantasy novel, the first in the 12 stories (two new) and three poems. *Dawson, Juno Queen B (Penguin Ran- her memories gone, on a mission to
Tides of Magic series inspired by the A print-on-demand edition; ebook also dom House/Penguin, 978-0-14-313834- investigate the source of alien signals.
Napoleonic Wars. A powerful sorceress available. Stelliform Press, 131 Wesley 1, $18.00, 199pp, tp) Historical fantasy This gives the author as ‘‘Brian Dolan’’
fleeing the Theocratic Revolution in her Avenue, Hamilton Ont L9H 5S7, Canada; novella, the third book in the HMRC se- on the cover, but ‘‘Brian J. Dolan’’ inside.
homeland is rescued by the Albion frigate <www.stelliform.press>. ries, but a prequel to the previous books, A print-on-demand edition; ebook also
Alarum. and accepts a job as their sea going back to Anne Boleyn and the available.
mage. A first novel. Ebook also available. Cole, Penn Spark of the Everflame founding of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven.
(Simon & Schuster/Atria, 978-1-6680- Simultaneous with the UK (Harper Voy- *Drago, Ty Checkmate (eSpec Books,
8572-1, $29.99, 401pp, hc) Reprint (self- ager) edition. Ebook also available. 978-1-956463-69-9, $17.95, 226pp, tp)
*Carroll, Jordan S. Speculative White- Near-future SF novel inspired by The
ness: Science Fiction and the Alt- published 2023) fantasy romance novel,
the first in the Kindred’s Curse series. *de Bodard, Aliette In the Shadow of Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.
Right (University of Minnesota Press, The mysterious Checkmate uses dis-
978-1-5179-1708-1, $10.00, 120pp, tp) Diem escapes her little village after her the Ship (Subterranean Press, 978-1-
mother disappears, following new rev- 64524-147-8, $40.00, 96pp, hc, cover guise and guile to expose corrupt politi-
Critical non-fiction about ways far-right cians, who now plot to use his biggest
extremists use SF film and literature elations to the intrigue-filled world of the by Maurizio Manzieri) Far-future SF
royal palace. This has a bonus chapter mystery novella set in the Xuya universe. fan, journalist Cheryl Walker, as bait to
to claim only white men can imagine a destroy him. A print-on-demand edition;
high-tech future. Includes bibliographic and illustrated color endpapers. Ebook Disappearances drove teenaged Khuyên
also available. from her family and the sentient ship ebook also available. eSpec Books, PO
notes. Part of the publisher’s Ideas First Box 242, Pennsville NJ 09070; <www.
series. Ebook also available. University Nightjar; a funeral brings her back as
Collins, Suzanne & Nico Delort The an adult magistrate, only to have a new especbooks.com>.
of Minnesota Press, 111 Third Avenue S, Hunger Games: Illustrated Edition
Suite 290, Minneapolis MN 55401-2520; disappearance force her to face her
(Scholastic Press, 978-1-339-03060-9, family, the ship, and her fears. This is a *Dudek, PJ Earth’s Door (Ballast Books,
<www.upress.umn.edu>. $34.99, 357pp, hc, cover by Nico Delort) 978-1-962202-60-2, $24.99, 512pp, hc)
signed, limited edition of 1,250; ebook
Reprint (Scholastic Press 2008) young- also available. Subterranean Press, PO Science fantasy novel, the first in the
*Cassidy, Nat Rest Stop (Shortwave, Song of Immaru series. Tarin has disturb-
978-1-959565-36-9, $13.99, 124pp, tp) adult postapocalypse SF novel, the first Box 190106, Burton MI 48519; <www.
book in a trilogy. This is a special oversize subterraneanpress.com>. ing dreams of an unknown past while the
Associational horror novella of survival, threat of a new global war looms and
with hallucinatory elements. A young illustrated edition with numerous b&w
scratchboard illustrations by Nico Delort. de Morgan, Mary The Necklace of Prin- strange things are sighted in the sky. Bal-
musician finds himself locked in a gas cess Fiorimonde and Other Stories last Books, <www.ballastbooks.com>.
station bathroom in the middle of the Ebook also available.
(WordFire Press, 978-1-68057-664-1, *Dunato, Jelena Ghost Apparent (Ghost
night, facing horrors inside and on *Connor, Joan The Corner of East and $15.99, xiii + 130pp, tp) Reprint (Macmil-
the other side of the door. A print-on- Dreams (Running Wild, 978-1-955062- Orchid Press, 978-1-7390918-5-9, £9.99,
lan 1880) collection of eight fairytale 99pp, tp, cover by Mia Minnis) Fantasy
demand edition; ebook also available. 26-8, $19.99, 178pp, tp, cover by Robert stories; this adds one story. The foreword
Waldo Brunelle Jr.) Collection of 21 sto- novella inspired by Eastern Adriatic his-
*Chen, Mike What If... Marc Spector by Marilyn Pemberton offers biographi- tory and folklore. Orsiana prays for
Was Host to Venom? (Penguin Ran- ries, 20 reprints (some slightly revised), cal details of de Morgan’s life and works.
including retellings of folklore, Bible help and gets dangerous gifts from
dom House/Random House Worlds, A print-on-demand edition. Published as the gods after her father is killed and
978-0-593-72686-0, $30.00, 323pp, stories, and myths. A print-on-demand part of the Publishing master’s degree
edition; ebook also available. Running her uncle seizes the city. Illustration by
hc, cover by Jeff Langevin) Tie-in novel, program at Western Colorado Univer- Dory Whynot. This is a print-on-demand
based on the Marvel comics and mov- Wild, <www.runningwildpress.com>. sity’s Graduate Program in Creative edition. A hardcover edition (-7-3, £9.99)
ies, a crossover between the characters *Cooke, C.J. The Book of Witching Writing. A print-on-demand edition; a was announced but not seen; ebook also
Moon Knight and Venom. Simultaneous (Penguin Random House/Berkley, 978- hardcover edition (-665-8, $25.99) was available.
with the Del Rey UK edition (978-1- 0-593-81696-7, $19.00, 362pp, tp) Horror announced but not seen. WordFire Press,
5299-1425-2). Ebook also available. novel. A mother determined to bring her <wordfirepress.com>. *Dwyer, Kelly Ghostmother (Sterling/
Copyrighted by Marvel. injured daughter back to reality investi- Union Square & Co., 978-1-4549-5282-
* D e ndle r, M e g We lc h Poppy and 4, $18.99, 321pp, tp) Horror novel, an
*Cherryh, C.J. & Jane S. Fancher Alliance gates what happened to three teens in Marigold (Serenity Mountain, 979-8-
Fynhallow Bay, which somehow involves ambiguous mix of psychological and
Unbound (Astra House/DAW, 978-0- 9908277-0-7, $13.99, 244pp, tp) Middle- haunted house horror. A woman des-
7564-1596-9, $30.00, 404pp, hc, cover centuries-old witchcraft. Ebook also grade dystopian fantasy novel, set in a
available. Author is Carolyn Jess-Cooke. perate to have a child falls for a decrepit
by MIcah Epstein) SF novel, the second society where Blue people are consid- mansion but starts to believe it’s haunted
in the Hinder Stars series in Cherryh’s Simultaneous with the HarperCollins ered superior to all others, especially the
UK edition. – or she’s having a breakdown. Ebook
Alliance-Union universe. The crew of uncivilized Orange, but Blue Poppy and also available.
Finity’s End realizes Earth forces are *Cottingham, Kayla Practical Rules Orange Marigold meet, discover they
going to arrive sooner than expected to for Cursed Witches (Penguin Random have a lot of similarity, and rethink their *Eisemann, Fran To Ukraine, With Love
to take back control and stop Cyteen’s House/Delacorte, 978-0-593-81397-3, society’s rules. A hardcover edition (-1- (Cosmic Roots & Eldritch Shores, 979-8-
expansion. Ebook also available. $19.99, 413pp, hc, cover by Dani Pender- 4, $19.99) was announced but not seen; 9871931-3-6, $30.00, x + 405pp, tp, cover
gast) Young-adult sapphic fantasy novel. ebook also available. by Artur Rosa) Reprint (Cosmic Roots &
*Chima, Cinda Williams Bane of Asgard Eldrich Shores 2023) anthology of 34
(Harper, 978-0-06-301873-0, $19.99, To gain her full powers, cursed teen witch *DiCamillo, Kate The Hotel Balzaar
Delilah has to remove a powerful family’s stories (one new), ten poems (three new),
625pp, hc, cover by Kim Ekdahl) Young- (Candlewick Press, 978-1-5362-2331-6, and one essay. Illustrations originally
adult fantasy novel inspired by Norse curse, but not all the family want the $17.99, 151pp, hc, cover by Júlia Sardà)
curse removed, and Delilah’s own family in b&w are now reproduced in color. A
myth, the second in the Runestone Saga Middle-grade fairytale novella, the sec- benefit anthology for Ukraine. A print-
duology. Ebook also available. curse against true love keeps getting in ond book in the Norendy Tales trilogy
the way. Ebook also available. on-demand edition; ebook also avail-
begun in The Puppets of Spelhorst. able. Cosmic Roots & Eldritch Shores,
*Chizmar, Richard Memorials (Simon *Croft, Rachel Koller We Love the Night- While her mother cleans hotel rooms, <cosmicrootsandeldritchshores.com/>.
& Schuster/Gallery, 978-1-6680-0919- life (Penguin Random House/Berkley, Marta explores quietly, but one day
2, $29. 99, 472pp, hc) Horror novel 978-0-593-54753-3, $29.00, 363pp, meets a mysterious countess with a *El-Fassi, Nadia Best Hex Ever (Pen-
with seemingly supernatural elements. hc) Supernatural thriller/horror novel parrot, and the countess tells magical guin Random House/Dell, 978-0-593-
Three students filming a documentary of a lesbian vampire couple planning to stories. Illustrated by Júlia Sardà. Ebook 87179-9, $18.00, 284pp, tp, cover by
on roadside memorials uncover a dark open their own nightclub to recapture also available. Anjali Mehta) Spicy fantasy romance
secret in backwoods Appalachia. Ebook their glory days in the 1970s disco scene. novel about a hexed kitchen witch,
also available. Dinniman, Matt The Dungeon Anar- whose romantic partners are cursed
Ebook also available. chist’s Cookbook (Ace, 978-0-593- with back luck as long as they are with
*Clarke, Susanna The Wood at Mid- *Dalia, Mia Haven (CamCat Books, 978- 82028-5, $30.00, 532pp, hc, cover by her. El-Fassi is a pen name for Orbit
winter (Bloomsbury USA, 978-1-63973- 0-7443-1134-1, $28.99, 303pp, tp, cover Will Staehle) Reprint (self-published UK editor Nadia Saward; a first novel.
448-1, $16.99, 63pp, hc, cover by Victoria by Geerati & Yaroslav Gerzhedovich) 2021) near-future science fiction LitRPG Simultaneous with the Del Rey UK edi-
Sawdon) Fantasy short story set in the Horror novel. A family’s stay at a vacation novel in the form of a fantasy adventure, tion. Ebook also available.
universe of Jonathan Strange & Mr Nor- house turns into a nightmare as tempers the third in the Dungeon Drawler Carl
rell. The teen Merowdis Scott can talk to fray. This is an international edition with series about Carl, forced by aliens to *Elliott, Kate The History of the World
animals and trees. Afterword by Clarke. US and UK prices; ebook also available. be part of an intergalactic reality show Begins in Ice: Stories and Essays from
Extensively illustrated in b&w by Victoria about escaping an Ear th-spanning the World of Cold Magic (Fairwood
Sawdon. A version of this story was read *Dalpe, Victoria Selene Shade, Resur- fantasy dungeon with videogame-like Press, 978-1-958880-19-7, $20.95, 347pp,
on BBC Radio 4 in 2022. Simultaneous rectionist for Hire (Clash Books, 978-1- mechanics. Though originally published tp, cover by Tom Canty) Collection of 11
with the UK (Bloomsbury) edition. Issued 960988324, $19.95, 257pp, tp, cover by ‘‘in different form,’’ this is still copyrighted stories (two new, one a reproduction
without dust jacket, with spot gilt on the Daniella Batsheva) Dark fantasy novel, 2021, except for exclusive bonus mate- of chapbook The Secret Journal of
cover. Ebook also available. the first in the Resurrectionist series. rial copyrighted 2024: ‘‘Backstage at Beatrice Hassi Barahal) and 11 essays

56 / LOCUS December 2024

about the world of Elliott’s Spiritwalker sively Illustrated by Rosie Fowinkle, and Hansen. Part of Flame Tree’s Beyond Hopkins, Pauline E. Of One Blood: Or,
trilogy begun in Cold Magic. Illustrated printed in two colors throughout, with and Within series. Issued without a The Hidden Self (WordFire Press, 978-
by 14 artists including Julie Dillon, Jody full-color illustrated endpapers. This is dust jacket, with metallic cover design, 1-68057-649-8, $9.95, ix + 183pp, tp)
Lee, Todd Lockwood, and John Picacio. a Barnes & Noble Exclusive edition with stencilled edges, and ribbon. Ebook also Reprint (Oxford University Press 1988
A limited hardcover edition (-18-0) is due alternative dustjacket, special endpa- available. An international edition with in The Magazine Novels of Pauline
in November. A print-on-demand edition; pers, exclusive case stamp, and bonus US and UK prices. Hopkins) classic SF horror novel, origi-
ebook also available. Fairwood Press, epilogue; a trade edition (-89340-6) was nally serialized in The Colored American
21528 104th St. Court East, Bonney Lake announced but not seen. Simultane- *Haas, John Prophets of Death and Magazine 1902-3, first published in book
WA 98391; <www.fairwoodpress.com>. ous with the UK (Hodder & Stoughton) Madness (WordFire Press, 978-1-68057- form in 1988. This has a new foreword by
edition. 607-8, $16.99, xi + 243pp, tp) Horror Eden Royce, looking at challenges Hop-
*Ellison, Harlan & J. Michael Straczyn- novel in the Lovecraftian mythos, third kins faced as a woman writer of color. A
ski, eds. The Last Dangerous Visions *Garfinkle, Gwynne Sinking, Singing in the Book of Ancient Evil series after print-on-demand edition; a hardcover
(Blackstone Publishing, 979-8-212- (Aqueduct Press, 978-1-61976-270-1, Book of Death and Madness and no- (-650-4) was announced but not seen;
18379-6, $27.99, 429pp, hc) Original $12.00, 106pp, tp, cover by Kathryn Wil- vella ‘‘Damned Voyage’’. A hardcover ebook also available. WordFire Press,
anthology, third and final in the Danger- ham) Collection of 11 stories, four new. edition (-608-5, $26.99) was announced <wordfirepress.com>.
ous Visions series started by Ellison Volume 93 in Aqueduct’s Conversation but not seen. Ebook also available. Word-
and finally finished after 50 years, with Pieces series. Ebook also available. Aq- Fire Press, PO Box 1840, Monument CO *Hopkinson, Nalo Jamaica Ginger and
23 stories plus a series of eight pieces ueduct Press, PO Box 95787, Seattle WA 80132; <wordfirepress.com>. Other Concoctions (Tachyon Publica-
(short-shorts/prose poems by D.M. Row- 98145-2787; <www.aqueductpress.com>. tions, 978-1-61696-426-9, $16.95, viii
les) sprinkled throughout. Final editor +Haddon, Mark Dogs and Monsters + 1944pp, tp, cover by Joshua Mays)
J. Michael Straczynski (not credited on *Gerrold, David Praxis (Starship Sloane/ (Penguin Random House/Doubleday, Collection of 15 stories, with notes by
cover) provides a general introduction, Star Traveler Press, 979-8-9886342- 978-0-385-55086-4, $28.00, 288pp, Hopkinson on the origins of each. Intro-
a lengthy discussion of his relation- 4-9, $12.99, x + 167pp, tp, cover by Bob hc, cover by Oliver Munday) Collection duction by Nisi Shawl, who collaborated
ship with Harlan, story notes, and an Eggleton) SF novella. Jamie and José, of eight mythic stories, four reprints, on the title story. Tachyon Publications,
afterword on the difficulties of compiling facing years of forced labor, choose in- from retellings of ancient Greek myths <tachyonpublications.com>.
this volume. Authors include Mildred stead to help colonize the world Praxis, to recent tropes, including some SF ele-
Downey Broxon, James S.A. Corey, Cory a monosexual colony on the other side of ments. Brief notes discuss the origins *Ivy, Alexandra Ancient Magic (Kens-
Doctorow, P.C. Hodgell, and A.E. van the universe. Foreword by John Shirley. of the stories. First US edition (Chatto ington/Lyrical Press, 978-1-5161-1142-8,
Vogt. Includes one story introduction by A print-on-demand edition; ebook also & Windus 8/24). Ebook also available. $18.95, 241pp, tp) Paranormal romance
Ellison. Illustrated by Tim Kirk. Ebook available. *Harrison, Kim Demon’s Bluff (Ace, 978- novel, second in the Magic for Hire
also available. 0-593-63998-6, $30.00, 451pp, hc, cover series about New Jersey witches who
*Gibson, S.T. Odd Spirits (Angry Robot run a bookstore. Skye’s past working for
UK, 978-1-915998-59-0, £14.99, 115pp, by Chris McGrath) Urban fantasy novel,
*Emerson, Ramona Exposure (Soho 18th (or 19th counting The Turn) in the demons comes back to haunt her when
Crime, 978 -1- 64129 - 476 - 8, $29. 95, hc) Contemporary fantasy romance no- they demand she capture a vampire
vella, a prequel to Evocation in The Sum- Hollows series featuring Rachel Morgan.
279pp, hc) Supernatural mystery novel, a To undo a curse, Rachel must travel back leader. Copyrighted by Debbie Raleigh.
sequel to Shutter, about Navajo forensic moner’s Circle series, about newlyweds A print-on-demand edition.
Rhys and Moira, a modern ceremonial in time to get a special spell component
photographer Rita Todacheene, who from the insane demon Newt. The author
sees ghosts. Rita, already struggling magician and a tarot witch. Full-color, *Janae, Micki Of Blood and Lightning
full-page Illustrations and endpapers has also written as Dawn Cook. Ebook (Three Rooms Press, 978-1-953103-44-
with her work with the Albuquerque PD, also available.
is asked to work serial murders targeting by Eleonor Piteria. This is significantly 4, $17.00, 388pp, tp, cover by Catherine
homeless Native people in Gallup, New rewritten from a previous self-published Hartley, L.P. Podolo (Biblioasis, 978-1- Massa) Young-adult fantasy novel, the
Mexico, Ebook also available. version (2018), and is copyrighted 2024. 77196-638-2, $7.95, 42pp, ph, cover by first book in the Godender series about
Issued without dust jacket, with silver foil Seth) Chapbook reprint (Arkham House small-town teens in North Dakota who
*Erdrich, Louise The Mighty Red (Harp- decorations; ebook also available. 1948 as part of The Traveling Grave and inherit the powers of ancient gods and
er, 978-0-06-343411-0, $32.00, 369pp, Other Stories) story, illustrated by Seth take on a mission to save the ancient
hc) Associational, mostly mainstream *Giles, Lamar Ruin Road (Scholastic, world. A first novel. Ebook also available.
978-1-338-89413-4, $19.99, 354pp, hc, as part of the Seth’s Christmas Ghost
novel with possible fantasy elements Stories series published by Biblioasis. This is an international edition with US,
(mystical apparitions), about a small cover by Lola Idowu) Young-adult horror Canadian, UK, and EU prices. Ebook also
novel. A Black teen’s wish that people This is a small-format trade paperback.
farming community in the Red River Val- Biblioasis, <www.biblioasis.com>. available. Three Rooms Press, <www.
ley in North Dakota from 2008 to 2023, would stop acting scared around him threeroomspress.com>.
and a marriage that might be a mistake. is granted, but a general lack of fear *Hawley, Sarah A Werewolf’s Guide to
This is a Barnes & Noble exclusive edi- spreads around him, along with violence. Seducing a Vampire (Penguin Random *Jilk, Dave Epoch: A Poetic Psy-Phi
tion with sprayed edges, plus a selection Ebook also available. House/Berkley Romance, 978-0-593- Saga (self-published, 978-0-999-1737-
of short pieces and interesting facts that 54796-0, $19.00, 448pp, tp, cover by 8-7, $39.95, 392pp, hc, cover by Bob
didn’t make it into the book. Ebook also *Golden, Kate A Reign of Rose (Pen- Jess Miller) Paranormal romance novel, Thompson) SF novel about AI, a mix of
available. guin Random House/Berkley Romance, third in the Glimmer Falls series. Anxiety- poetry and prose mostly told by Aither, a
978-0-593-64194-1, $19.00, 477pp, tp) prone werewolf plant shop owner Ben child who gradually realizes life is more
*Evans, John Midnight Falls (Rowan Paranormal romance novel, third in the Rosewood impulsively buys a suppos- complex than it seems, and the fate of the
Prose, 979-8-328238939, $18.99, 351pp, Sacred Stones trilogy begun in A Dawn edly possessed crystal and finds himself planet is at stake. A first novel. This is a
tp) Horror novel. Josh returns to his of Onyx. Copyrighted by Natalie Sellers. bound to a vampire succubus who wants print-on-demand edition; a POD trade
hometown after college and realizes evil Ebook also available. Simultaneous with revenge on the witch who imprisoned paperback edition (979-8-3321-7919-8,
lurks under the town’s pleasant façade. the UK (Arcadia) edition. her. Simultaneous with the Gollancz $19.95) was announced but not seen;
A hardcover (-328245418, $28.99) was UK edition. ebook also available.
announced but not seen; ebook also *Gorman, W.R. We Kept Her in the Cel-
available. lar (The Quick Brown Fox/Crooked Lane, *Hearne, Kevin Candle & Crow (Penguin *Jones, Howard Andrew Shadow of the
978-1-63910-914-2, $29.99, 291pp, hc, Random House/Del Rey, 978-1-9848- Smoking Mountain (Baen, 978-1-9821-
Fitt, Mary The Amethyst Cross (Bib- cover by Amanda Shaffer) Horror novel, 2131-7, $28.99, 322pp, hc, cover by 9367-6, $28.00, 492pp, hc, cover by Dave
lioasis, 978-1-77196-640-5, $7.95, 83pp, a dark retelling of the story of Cinderella, Sarah J. Coleman) Fantasy novel, third Seeley) Sword and sorcery fantasy novel,
ph, cover by Seth) Reprint (James Barrie told from a stepsister’s point-of-view. A and final in the Ink & Sigil series about the third in the Chronicles of Hanuvar
1952 as part of The Second Ghost Book) first novel. Ebook also available. Glasgow detective Al MacBharrais; this series. Ebook also available.
novelette, illustrated by Seth as part also provides a bit of a coda for the Iron
of the Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories *Grimes, Ivy Glass Stories (Grimscribe *Keene, Brian Island of the Dead (Apex
Press, 979-8218442453, $20.00, 128pp, Druid Chronicles. Simultaneous with the Book Company, 978-1-955765-23-7,
series published by Biblioasis. Fitt is a Orbit UK edition. Ebook also available.
pen name for Kathleen Feeman. This is a tp, cover by Jesse Peper) Collection $21.95, 179pp, tp, cover by John Walters)
small-format trade paperback. Biblioasis, of 17 contemporary stories, eight new, +Hewlett, Rosie The Witch of Colchis Sword-and-sorcery zombie novel. En-
<www.biblioasis.com>. drawing inspiration from myth, folklore, (Sourcebooks Landmark, 978-1-7282- slaved barbarian Einar finds himself ship-
scripture and more. A print-on-demand 9901-3, $16.99, 449pp, tp, cover by Jim wrecked on a strange island, where the
+Flanagan, John Ranger’s Apprentice: edition; a trade paperback edition (-, Tierney) Fantasy novel, a retelling of the castaways must work together against a
The Royal Ranger: Ambush at Sorato $27.00) was announced but not seen. dark story of the witch Medea from Greek horde of the undead. A print-on-demand
(Penguin Random House/Viking, 978- Grimscribe Press, <grimscribepress. myth. First US edition (Bantam UK 3/24 edition; ebook also available. Apex Book
0-593-46387-1, $18.99, 231pp, hc, cover com>. as Medea). Company, PO Box 24323, Lexington KY
by Shane Rebenschied) Middle-grade 40524; <www.apexbookcompany.com>.
fantasy novel, the seventh in the Royal *Guran, Paula, ed. The Year’s Best Hodgson, William Hope The House on
Ranger series. The title is Ambush at Fantasy: Volume 3 (Start/Pyr, 978-1- the Borderland (WordFire Press, 978- *Kelly, Michael, ed. Northern Nights
Sorato on the jacket and cover, but 64506-093-2, $23.95, 281pp, tp) Year’s 1-68057-652-8, $15.99, xiii + 170pp, tp) (Undertow, 978-1-988964-47-8, $19.99,
The Ambush at Sorato inside. First US Best anthology with 17 stories from Reprint (Chapman Hall 1908) classic SF 295pp, tp, cover by Serena Malyon)
edition (Random House Australia 6/24). 2023. Authors include P. Djèlí Clark, Amal horror novel. This has a new foreword by Original anthology of 20 strange horror
El-Mohtar, Ken Liu, and Catherynne M. Jonathan Maberry. A print-on-demand stories. Authors include Silvia Moreno-
*Flint, Eric & Jody Lynn Nye 1635: The Valente. Ebook also available. edition; a hardcover edition ($25.99) Garcia, Premee Mohamed, David Nickle,
Weaver’s Code (Baen, 978-1-9821- was announced but not seen; ebook and Naben Ruthnum. A print-on-demand
9366-9, $28.00, 408pp, hc, cover by Tom *Gyzander, Carol & Anna Taborska, also available. WordFire Press, <www. edition. Ebook also available. Undertow
Kidd) SF time-travel novel in the series eds. Discontinue if Death Ensues wordfirepress.com>. Publications, 1905 Faylee Crescent,
begun in 1632. American up-timers (Flame Tree Press UK, 978-1787588516, Pickering ON L1V 2T3, Canada; <www.
imprisoned in the Tower of London get $26.99, 414pp, hc, cover by Lynne Han- *Holo, Jacob Freelancers of Neptune undertowpublications.com>.
help from Margaret de Beauchamp and sen) Original anthology of 15 horror (Baen, 978 -1-9821-9368 -3, $28 .00,
in return offer computer technology that stories (two reprints) and five poems by 361pp, hc, cover by Sam R. Kennedy) *Kennedy, Kara A. I Will Never Leave
could save the wool trade for her family women, about women facing adversity. Far-future SF novel set in a reshaped You (Penguin Random House/Delacorte,
and England. Ebook also available. Many stories feature elements of myth, solar system, the first in the Sol Blazers 978-0-593-70746-3, $19.99, 337pp, hc,
fantasy, SF, or body horror. The authors, series. Spaceship Captain Nathaniel cover by Carolina Rodríguez Fuenmayor)
*Garber, Stephanie Spectacular (Mac- all Stoker Award nomlinees, are Carol Kade, struggling to make ends meet, gets Young-adult thriller/horror novel. Maya is
millan/Flatiron, 978-1-250-36869-0, Gyzander, Kyla Lee Ward, Lee Murray, involved with a beautiful cat girl with a haunted by her ex-girlfriend, who insists
$20.99, 224pp, hc) Young-adult holiday Cindy O’Quinn, and Anna Taborska. lead on a treasure trove of lost technol- Maya help her possess another girl or
novella set in the world of Caraval, exten- Cover detail and frontispiece by Lynne ogy. Ebook also available. 

LOCUS December 2024 / 57

  Books Received by the author. Ebook also available. (Penguin Random House/Berkley Ro- $30.00, 413pp, hc) Tie-in novel based on
mance, 978-0-593-54893-6, $19.00, the DC Comic character and a sequel to
be arrested for her murder. A first novel. *Lansdale, Joe R. In the Mad Mountains: 368pp, tp, cover by Roxie Vizcarra) Vam- the 1989 Batman film. Copyrighted by DC
Ebook also available. Stories Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft pire rom-com novel, sequel to My Room- & WBEI. Ebook also available.
(Tachyon Publications, 978-1-61696- mate Is a Vampire. Accountant Amelia
*Khaw, Cassandra Critical Role: Bells 424-5, $16.95, 249pp, tp, cover by Mike Collins needs a date for a cousin’s wed- *Moning, Karen Marie The House at
Hells: What Doesn’t Break (Penguin Mignola) Collection of eight stories ding and after a chance encounter invites Watch Hill (HarperCollins/Morrow,
Random House/Random House Worlds, that often skewer Loveraft’s style while the charmingly quirky Reginald Cleaves, 978-0-06-324921-9, $30.00, 365pp, hc,
978-0-593-49676-3, $30.00, 253pp, hc, embracing the horror. Lansdale’s intro- unaware he’s a vampire. Copyrighted by cover by Matt Curtius) Southern gothic
cover by Matt Hubel) Tie-in novel. Copy- duction discusses his feelings about Jennifer Prusak. Simultaneous with the romantic fantasy novel, first in the Watch
righted by Gilmore’s Glorious Goods. Lovecraft’s work. Ebook also available. Penguin UK edition. Ebook also available. Hill trilogy involving Celtic myths and
Simultaneous with the Del Rey UK edi- Tachyon Publiscations, 1459 18th Street witches. Zo Cameron inherits an eerie
tion. Ebook also available. #139, San Francisco 94107; <www.­ *Liang, Ann A Song to Drown Rivers mansion from an unknown relative, but
tachyonpublications.com>. (St. Martin’s, 978-1-250-28946-9, $32.00, there are strings attached. Simultaneous
*Killjoy, Margaret The Sapling Cage 321pp, hc) Fantasy novel retelling the with the UK (Gollancz) edition. Ebook
(Feminist Press at CUNY, The, 978-1- *Larison, John The Ancients (Penguin story of Xishi, one of the four beautiful also available.
55861-331-7, $17.95, 329pp, tp) Fantasy Random House/Viking, 978-0-593- women in Chinese legend. This first print
novel of trans witchcraft, the first in the 83116-8, $30.00, 383pp, hc) SF novel of edition has stencilled edges, foil on the *Moore, Alan The Great When (Blooms-
Daughters of the Empty Throne trilogy. survival and human persistence after cover, and metallic ink patterned endpa- bury USA, 978-1-63557-884-3, $29.99,
Lorel dreams of becoming a witch, but ecological collapse, following siblings pers. Ebook also available. Simultaneous 312pp, hc, cover by Nico Delort) Fantasy
because she was born a boy has to dis- stranded after raiders take their mother, with the Tor UK edition. novel, the first in the Long London Quin-
guise herself and take a friend’s place and a young scholar who has to pick tet about murder and magic in 1949 Lon-
to join a coven. The Feminist Press at between trying to salvage his father’s MacDonald, George Phantastes: A don. Teen Dennis, sent to retrieve some
CUNY, <www.feministpress.org>. business in a dying city, or flee to a new Faerie Romance for Men and Women rare books, finds one is a fictitious book
utopia. Ebook also available. (WordFire Press, 978-1-68057-670-2, that should not exist, but comes from
*Kim, Sung-Il Blood of the Old Kings $15.99, xiv + 221pp, tp) Reprint (Smith a magical London beyond time, where
(Tor, 978-1-250-89533-2, $27.99, 352pp, *Lawless, Shauna The Land of the Elder 1858) classic allegorical fantasy history and myth collide. Simultaneous
hc, cover by Dominik Mayer) Epic fantasy Living and the Dead (Bloomsbury UK/ novel. Foreword by Paul Di Filippo. Edited with the Bloomsbury UK edition. Ebook
novel. A swordswoman, an orphan, and a Head of Zeus/Ad Astra, 978-1-8032- by Joshua Smyser. A print-on-demand also available.
sorcerer decide to fight a powerful Em- 8272-5, £20.00, 555pp, hc, cover by Mi- edition; a hardcover edition (-671-9,
pire powered by the corpses of sorcerers. caela Alcaino) Fantasy novel, third in the $25.99) was announced but not seen; +Murphy, Cynthia The Midnight Game
Swordswoman Loran seeks revenge Gael Song series based on Irish legend. ebook also available. WordFire Press, (Penguin Random House/Delacorte,
after her family is killed by the Empire. In 1011 AD Ireland, war looms between <wordfirepress.com>. 978-0-593-70556-8, $12.99, 308pp, tp)
Translated from the Korean (Onuju 2016) mortal kingdoms, while the magical Young-adult horror novel. Diverse teens
by Anton Hur. races scheme. This is an international *Malfi, Ronald Small Town Horror (Titan meet in an old schoolhouse to summon
edition with US and UK prices. Ebook Books UK, 978-1-803365657, £18.99, the Midnight Man, an urban legend. First
*Kinney, Wallis A Dark and Secret also available. 392pp, hc) Horror novel involving a US edition (Scholastic UK 1/23, not seen).
Magic (The Quick Brown Fox/Alcove, haunting, and five childhood friends Ebook also available.
978-1-63910-989-0, $29.99, 307pp, hc, Le Fanu, J. Sheridan The Watcher and forced to return to their home town and
cover by Lucy Rose) Fantasy romance Other Weird Stories (WordFire Press, confront their dark past and a possible *Murphy, Stacie The Witch’s Secret
novel, inspired by the myth of Hades 978-1-68057-667-2, $15,99, xvi + 193pp, curse. Ebook also available. This is an (Pegasus Crime, 978-1-63936-629-3,
and Persephone. Hedge witch Hecate tp) Reprint (Downey 1894) collection of international edition with US and UK $27.95, 311pp, hc) Historical fantasy mys-
Goodwin’s peaceful solitude is destroyed six stories. This retains the original illus- prices. tery novel. A young witch in 1862 Colo-
when she hosts her coven’s Halloween trations by Brinsley Sheridan Le Fanu, rado Territory is forced into an alliance
gathering and a handsome necromancer who also provided the 1894 preface. *Malzberg, Barry N. Dwellers of the with a demon and works to free herself
turns up. Includes recipes. A first novel. This has a new foreword by Sam Knight. Deep / Gather in the Hall of the Plan- and keep demon magic from playing a
Ebook also available. A print-on-demand edition; a hardcover ets (Stark House, 979-8-88601-116-6, role the Civil War. Ebook also available.
edition (-668-9, $31.99) was announced $15.95, 168pp, tp, cover by Jeff Jordan)
*Knútsdóttir, Hildur The Night Guest but not seen; ebook also available. Word- Collection of two satirical SF novellas of *Naji, Ahmed, ed. Egypt + 100 (Comma
(Tor/Night fire, 978-1-250 -32204 -3, Fire Press, PO Box 1840, Monument CO fandom, conventions, and aliens; both Press UK, 978-1-9126-9770-0, £10.99,
$19.99, 191pp, hc) Psychological horror 80132; <wordfirepress.com>. were originally published as by K.M. 160pp, tp) Original anthology of 12 stories
novella with eerie/possibly supernatural O’Donnell in Ace Double editions: Dwell- by Egyptian authors, most translated
elements, about a constantly tired wom- *Lee, Adam, et al. Dungeons & Dragons: ers of the Deep (1970) and Gather in from Arabic, all set 100 years after the
an who discovers she goes somewhere Worlds & Realms (Penguin Random the Hall of the Planets (1971). Malzberg January 25th Revolution in 2011 in Tahrir
when asleep, and comes back increas- House/Ten Speed Press, 978-0-593- provides a new afterword for each. A Square. Authors include Mansoura Ez-
ingly sore and bloody. Translated from 83550-0, $50.00, 361pp, hc) Gaming bibliography of his books is included. Eldin, Belal Fadl, Michel Hanna, and
the Icelandic Myrkrið milli stjarnanna tie-in art book/anthology celebrating Ebook also available. Stark House Press, Yasmine El Rashidi. The editor’s intro-
(2021 JPV) by Mary Robinette Kowal. 50 years of Dungeons & Dragons, from 1315 H Street, Eureka CA 95501; <www. duction discusses the history leading up
Greyhawk on, with extensive illustra- starkhousepress.com>. to the revolution used as a time marker
*Koja, Kathe Catherine the Ghost tions, most in full color, by numerous art- here, as well as cultural perceptions
(Clash Books, 978-1960988294, $16.95, ists. The semifictional text by Adam Lee, *Maniscalco, Kerri Throne of Secrets of time, and Egyptian SF. Part of the
121pp, tp, cover by Daniella Batsheva) narrated by the mage Mordenkainen, (Lit tle, Brown, 978- 0 -316 -55754 -2, publisher’s Futures Past series. Ebook
Horror novella, an homage to Emily describes the multiverse, its planes and $29.00, 499pp, hc) Fantasy romance also available. Comma Press, <www.
Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, narrated worlds, their history, notable aspects, novel, the second in the Prince of Sin commapress.co.uk>.
partly by the ghost of Catherine Linton and characters, with occasional anec- series begun in Throne of the Fallen. A
née Earnshaw. Issued with French flaps. dotes. This also includes 12 stories about Barnes & Noble exclusive with a bonus *Norman, Lisanne The Pharaoh’s Cat
Ebook also available. life in each of the main worlds, by Jasmine cut scene and a cocktail recipe was also (eSpec/Paper Phoenix Press, 978-1-
Bhullar, Geoffrey Golden, Jody Houser seen; ebook also available. 956463-09-5, $15.95, 186pp, tp, cover
*Kreuter, Aaron Rubble Children (Uni- by Croisy) Collection of eight fantasy sto-
versity of Alberta Press, 978-1-77212- & Eric Campbell, and Jaleigh Johnson.
Includes index. Ebook also available. *Marske, Freya Swordcrossed (Tor/ ries, one new featuring Norman’s thief,
772-0, $26.99, 217pp, tp, cover by Nick Bramble, 978-1-250-34162-4, $28.99, Mouse. Funded through Kickstarter; a
McPhail) Collection of ‘‘seven-and-a- Copyrighted by Wizards of the Coast.
370pp, hc, cover by Cynthia Sheppard) limited hardcover with a bonus story
half’’ interlinked stories, at least four *Lee, Sher Legend of the White Snake Queer fantasy romance novel. Struggling was announced but not seen; ebook
reprints (some revised), centered on a (HarperCollins/Quill Tree, 978-0-06- merchant Matti agrees to an arranged also available.
fictional Reform synagogue in a Toronto 332719-1, $19.99, 336pp, hc, cover by marriage and hires charming swords-
suburb, some with speculative or satirical Kuri Huang) Young-adult queer romantic man Luca to teach him to fight in case *Palahniuk, Chuck Shock Induction
elements. Part of the publisher’s Robert fantasy novel inspired by Chinese folk there’s a challenge at the wedding. This (Simon & Schuster, 978-1-6680-2144-6,
Kroetsch series. A print-on-demand tales. A snake spirit turns into a boy and has sprayed edges and decorated end- $26.99, 219pp, hc) Satirical near-future
edition; ebook also available. Univer- hides his true identity after falling for a papers. Simultaneous with the Tor UK SF novel. Kids who excel in school start
sity of Alberta Press, 1-16 Rutherford prince determined to kill such a snake to edition. Ebook also available. disappearing, despite being under con-
Library South, 11204 89 Avenue NW, make a cure for his dying mother. Ebook stant surveillance of an online service,
Edmonton Alberta Canada T6G 2I4; also available. Simultaneous with the UK *McBride, Lish Red in Tooth and Claw while publishers use new technology to
<www.­ualbertapress.ca>. (First Ink) edition. (Penguin Random House/Putnam, 978- make books more immersive, addictive,
1-9848-1562-0, $19.99, 386pp, hc, cover and even lethal for some.
*Lamb, Sacha The Forbidden Book *Leede, CJ American Rapture (Tor/ by Evangeline Gallagher) Young-adult
(Levine Querido, 978-1-64614-456-3, Nightfire, 978-1-250-85792-7, $27.99, Western horror novel about an orphaned *Patterson, Ian Transference (self-
$19.99, 246pp, hc) Young-adult fantasy 367pp, hc, cover by Carly Janine Mazur) teen girl disguised as a boy, who gets published, 979-8-9909170-0-2, $18.00,
novel based on Jewish folklore. At 17, Horror novel about shame, repression, shipped to the Settlement, a remote 227pp, tp, cover by Bariş Şehri) SF novel,
Sorel runs away from her wedding, and an apocalyptic pandemic that makes the fortified community, where people are the first in the Narrator Cycle series,
disguises herself as a man – but the infected ‘‘feral with lust,’’ and a funda- being killed by monsters at night. Ebook about a Sicko, a person who takes on
name she picks belongs to a man a lot mentalist Catholic girl trying to find her also available. others’ illnesses for money, but after a
of people want dead, and draws her to family. Ebook also available. particularly bad illness decides to stop
a dark underworld where criminals and *McEwan, Stacey Valley (Angry Robot the whole disease transfer network. A
wicked angels fight to control the Jewish *Legrand, Claire A Song of Ash and UK, 978-1-915-20241-3, £18.99, 381pp, print-on-demand edition; ebook also
community. An Arthur A. Levine book. Moonlight (Sourcebooks Casablanca, hc, cover by Sneha Alexander) Fantasy available.
Ebook also available. 978-1-7282-3202-7, $25.99, 577pp, hc, novel, the third book in the Glacian tril-
cover by Nekro) Fantasy romance novel, ogy. Dawsyn continues the fight to free *Peckham, Caroline & Susanne Valenti
*Lampley, Alexis Pride and Prejudice the second in the Middlemist trilogy. her people from the winged Glacians. Never Keep (Dark Ink UK, 978-1-916926-
in Space (Sterling/Union Square & Co., Farrin, the eldest Ashbourne daughter, This is an international edition with US 27-1, $20.99, 500pp, hc, cover by Caro-
978-1-4549-5411-8, $30.00, 491pp, hc, teams up with a family enemy, the infu- and UK prices. Ebook also available. line Peckham) Dark academia fantasy
cover by Alexis Lampley) SF romance riating Ryder Bask, to fight increasing romance novel, first in the Sins of the
novel, a retelling of the Jane Austen magical menaces. Ebook also available. *Miller, John Jackson Batman: Resur- Zodiac series, set in the same world as
novel, mixing life in space and Regency rection (Penguin Random House/Ran- Zodiac Academy. A Fae, forced to go
romance. This includes color illustrations *Levine, Jenna My Vampire Plus One dom House Worlds, 978-0-593-87190-4, to Never Keep for magical instruction,

58 / LOCUS December 2024

finds the students are left at the mercy ral suspense novel. Fashion-obsessed available. Simultaneous with the UK *Stayman-London, Kate Fang Fiction
of enemies and supernaturals. Ebook Samara takes a dream job with a Califor- (Michael Joseph) edition. (Penguin Random House/Dial, 978-0-
also available. nia designer and discovers the high-end 593-72912-0, $19.00, 361pp, tp, cover by
fashion industry has dark secrets. The Scalzi, John Starter Villain (Tor, 978-1- Sarah Horgan) Vampire fantasy romantic
*Pell, Tanya Cicada (Shortwave, 978-1- author’s first adult novel. Ebook also 250-87939-4, $18.99, 262pp, tp, cover comedy novel. This includes an extras
959565-34-5, $13.95, 167pp, tp) Horror available. by Tristan Elwell) Reprint (Tor 2023) SF section with author interview and an
novella, the fourth book in Shockwave’s novel. This adds related bonus story annotated playlist. Simultaneous with
Killer VHS series. A rural horror film *Robins, Eden Remember You Will Die ‘‘Hera Baldwin Gets A Financial Advisor’’. the UK (Piatkus) edition. Ebook also
festival about a giant killer cicada gets (Sourcebooks Landmark, 978-1-7282- available.
deadly when a real one turns up and 5603-0, $16.99, 321pp, tp) SF novel *Schlote-Bonne, Tatianne Such Lovely
locals won’t let people leave. spanning centuries, written in linked Skin (Page Street, 979-8-89003-076- *Stein, Charlotte How to Help a Hungry
obituaries, epitaphs, and news stories, 4, $18.99, 289pp, hc, cover by Tess Werewolf (St. Martin’s Griffin, 978-1-
Peñaranda, Chloe C. The Stars Are about an AI woman grappling with grief Hamilton) Young-adult horror novel. 250-35233-0, $18.99, 352pp, tp, cover
Dying (Tor/Bramble, 978-1-250-37044- after the death of her human daughter, in Guilt-ridden gamer and chronic liar Viv by Kelly Wagner) Paranormal romance
0, $29.99, 412pp, hc, cover by Alice a disconnected world on a dying planet. tells her darkest secret to an NPC in an novel, first in the Sanctuary for Super-
Maria Power) Reprint (Lumarias Press Ebook also available. online game and suddenly finds she has natural Creatures series. A witch returns
2023, not seen) dark fantasy romance a demonic doppelgänger, and no one to her hometown, where she discovers
novel, the first in the Nytefall trilogy; *Robson, Cecy Bloodguard (Entangled/ believes her. A first novel. Ebook also her former best friend is a werewolf
this includes two bonus scenes. The first Red Tower, 978-1649374059, $32.99, available. needing her help. Ebook also available.
Bramble edition; a special limited first 430pp, hc) Young-adult dark fantasy
print run with stenciled edges (-35566-9, romance novel. Bitter gladiator Leith +Schmitt, Eric-Emmanuel Paradises +Stephenson, Neal Polostan (Harper-
$32.99), and a simultaneous UK edition of Grey teams with elven royal Maeve, Lost (Europa Editions, 978-1-60945- Collins/Morrow, 978-0-06-233449-7,
(Wildfire 978-1-03-541528-1, £20.00) who offers him a way to win his freedom. 849-2, $30.00, 474pp, hc, cover by Jo- $32.00, 303pp, hc, cover by Olga Jasion-
were also seen. Ebook also available. This first print run has stencilled sprayed hann Wenzel Peter) Fantasy novel, the owska) Associational historical thriller
edges. Ebook also available. first book in the Passage Through time novel of spies and revolution, the first
Piper, H. Beam Little Fuzzy (WordFire series, a history of humanity following volume in the Bomb Light series, set in
Press, 978-1-68057-646-7, $15.99, vii + *Rogers, Andrea L. The Art Thieves Noam, an immortal survivor of the Bibli- the early 20th century, following Dawn
191pp, tp) Reprint (Avon 1962) SF novel. (Levine Querido, 978-1-64614-378-8, cal Flood, looking for the meaning of life Rae Bjornberg, an American girl raised in
Foreword by John Scalzi. A print-on- $19.99, 386pp, hc, cover by Rebecca Lee across centuries. Translated from the Russia who returns to the US to become
demand edition; a hardcover (-647-4) Kunz) Young-adult near-future apoca- French Paradis perdus: La traversée a cowgirl and a gunrunning revolutionary
was announced but not seen. Ebook lyptic time-travel SF romance novel. de temps (Albin Michel 2021) by Steven during the Great Depression, then a KGB
also available. WordFire Press, <www. Stevie Henry, a Cherokee girl working at Rendall & Addie Leak. First US edition spy. First US edition (The Borough Press
wordfirepress.com>. a Texas museum to save up for college, (Europa Editions UK 6/24). Ebook also 9/26/24). Ebook also available.
encounters a boy who claims to be from available. Europa Editions, 27 Union
*Powers, Richard Playground (Norton, the future. An Arthur A. Levine book. This Square West, Suite 302, New York NY *Sterling, Erin The Wedding Witch
978-1-32408-603-1, $29.99, 383pp, hc) is an international edition with US and 10003; <www.europaeditions.com>. (HarperCollins/Avon, 978-0-06-329759-
Near-future SF novel involving a board UK prices; ebook also available. 3, $18.99, 276pp, tp, cover by Vi-An
game, climate change, seasteading, and *Sebastian, Laura Poison in Their Nguyen) Romantic fantasy novel, third
AI. Four people of diverse backgrounds, * R o q u e , C a r l o s Pa r a d o n a R u f i n o Hear ts (Penguin Random House/ in the Graves Glen series begun in The
two of them estranged old friends, are Tchanaze: Beauty and the Beads Delacorte, 978-0-593-11824-5, $20.99, Ex Hex. Loner Bowen Penhallow reluc-
brought together on a tiny Polynesian (Dedalus UK/Dedalus Africa, 978-1- 544pp, hc, cover by Lillian Liu) Young- tantly attends a yuletide wedding where
atoll where the inhabitants are to vote 9155658-26-7, £9.99, 189pp, tp) Magical adult fantasy novel, the second in the he encounters Tamsyn, a ‘‘procurer’’ of
on whether to allow a project to build realism/fantasy novel about a beautiful Castles in Their Bones trilogy about three magical items, and a spell sends the two
autonomous floating cities there. Si- virgin who is possessed by evil spirits, princesses. Ebook also available. Ebook of them back to 1958. This is a pen name
multaneous with the UK (Heinemann) and a shaman decides to free her. Trans- also available. Simultaneous with the for Rachel Hawkins. Simultaneous with
edition. lated from the Portuguese Tchanaze, a Hodderscape UK edition. the UK (Headline Eternal) edition. Ebook
donzela de Sena (Associac¸a~o dos also available.
*Query, Matt & Harrison Query Wilder- Escritores Moc¸ambicanos 2007) by *Shine, A.M. Stay In the Light (Blooms-
ness Reform (Simon & Schuster/Atria/ Jethro Soutar & Sandra Tamele. Part of bury UK/Head of Zeus/Aries, 978-1- *Swallow, James Space 1999: The
Bestler, 978-1-6680-2413-3, $27.99, the Dedalus Africa series. Ebook also 80454-793-9, £20.00, 301pp, hc) Gothic Armageddon Engine (Anderson En-
340pp, hc) Horror novel. Ben, sent to available. horror novel, a sequel to The Watchers. tertainment, 978-1-914522-83-3, £19.99,
a wilderness camp for troubled teens, Mina, having escaped the Watchers, 125pp, hc, cover by Marcus Stamps)
realizes something is wrong with the *Rosson, Keith The Devil by Name (Pen- researches them, hoping to find a way Tie-in novella based on the SF TV show
overly upbeat counselors, and starts guin Random House/Random House, to keep humanity safe. This appears created by Gerry Anderson. The first
to investigate with the help of his cabin 978-0-593-59578-7, $30.00, 400pp, hc) to be a UK edition, but the dust jacket 500 copies are signed. Copyrighted by
mates. Ebook also available. Postapocalyptic horror novel, a sequel only has the US price ($28.99); ebook ITC Entertainment Group. Anderson
to Fever House set five years later, in also available. Entertainment Limited, Third Floor, 86-
*Raasch, Sara The Nightmare Before a world overrun by the zombielike ‘‘fe- 90 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NE UK;
Kissmas (Tor/Bramble, 978-1-250 - vered.’’ Ebook also available. *Shulkin, Joel Heroic Measures (Zero <www.gerryanderson.com>.
33319-3, $19.99, 304pp, tp, cover by lil- Dark, 979-8990018815, $18.99, 449pp,
ithsaur) Holiday rom-com fantasy novel. *Rue, Gretchen The Grim Steeper (The tp, cover by Abigail Simmons) Forensic *Tahir, Sabaa Heir (Penguin Random
The ruling Santa orders his disgraced Quick Brown Fox/Crooked Lane, 978-1- technothriller novel, the first book in the House/Putnam, 978-0-593-86022-9,
son Nicholas ‘‘Coal’’ Claus to marry the 63910-865-7, $30.99, 295pp, hc, cover Death Benefits series. Armed Forces $21.99, 484pp, hc, cover by Micaela
Easter princess, but Coal’s got the hots by Mary Ann Lasher) Fantasy mystery medical examiner Stephen Englehart Alcaino) Young-adult fantasy romance
for the prince of Halloween. Issued with novel, third in the Witches’ Brew series. watches a supposedly burned body novel, set 20 years after Ember in the
sprayed edges. Simultaneous with the Amateur witch Phoebe investigates come back to life, and discovers some- Ashes. This is a Barnes & Noble ‘‘Good
Penguin UK edition. when a famous birder, scheduled to thing dangerous is happening to the Morning America YA Book Club Pick’’
appear at her book-and-tea store, is military’s elite. Zero Dark Publications, exclusive edition with a conversation be-
*Raasch, Sara & Beth Revis The Fate of found dead. Includes six recipes. Ebook <zerodarkpublications.com>. tween the editor and author; a trade edi-
Magic (Sourcebooks Fire, 978-1-7282- also available. tion (-61694-9) and ebook also available.
2755-4, $18.99, 303pp, hc, cover by David +Silver, Josh HappyHead (Penguin Simultaneous with the Atom UK edition.
Curtis) Young-adult historical fantasy *Ryan, Lindy, ed. The Darkest Night Random House/Delacorte, 978-0-593-
romance novel, the second in the Witch (The Quick Brown Fox/Crooked Lane, 81202-0, $19.99, 379pp, hc) Young-adult *Teffeau, Lauren C. A Hunger With no
and Hunter duology set in medieval 978-1-63910-871-8, $18.99, 305pp, tp, dystopian SF novel, the first in a duol- Name (University of Tampa Press, 978-
Germany. Ebook also available. cover by Mister Sam Shearon) Original ogy. A first novel. First US edition (Rock 1-59732-206-5, $16.00, 138pp, tp, cover
anthology of 22 horror stories and a the Boat 3/16/23, not seen). Ebook also by Madeline M. Eisele) Ecological sci-
*Rasche, Anna The Stone Witch of poem about dark winter nights. Authors available. ence fantasy novella. The ancient ways
Florence (Harlequin/Park Row Books, include Christopher Golden & Tim Leb- of Thurava’s community of herders are
978-0-7783-1045-7, $30.00, 364pp, hc, bon, Rachel Harrison, Josh Malerman, *Sivinski, Stacy The Crescent Moon threatened by the Glass City that pollutes
cover by Allan Dover) Historical fantasy and Kelsea Yu. Introduction by George Tearoom (Simon & Schuster/Atria, 978- the air and water, and her search for a so-
novel of Florence, Italy in 1348 during the C. Romero. Ebook also available. 1-6680-5839-8, $18.99, 321pp, tp, cover lution unearths secrets the city wants to
Black Plague. Ginevra di Gasparo, called by Jim Tierney) Cozy fantasy romance hide. A hardcover edition (-207-2, $25.00)
a witch for using the power of gemstones *Saleh, Amr Treasures of Egypt: The novel about three clairvoyant sisters, was announced but not seen; ebook also
to heal, is offered to be recognized as a Spear & the Scythe (Collective Ink their tea shop, a family curse, and new available. University of Tampa Press, 401
physician if she can stop a thief stealing UK /Our Street, 978-1-80341- 600-7, developments that threaten to pull them West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa FL
church relics that protect the city. This £19.99, 383pp, tp) Young-adult fantasy apart. A first novel. Ebook also available. 33606; <utampapress.org>.
has illustrated endpapers and sprayed novel inspired by Egyptian myths. Nefiri
edges. A first novel. Minu, desperate to save her little brother, *Solomon, Rivers Model Home (Macmil- *Tew, Jill The Dividing Sky (Penguin
unwittingly unleashes Set, the God of lan/Farrar Straus Giroux/MCD, 978-0- Random House/Joy Revolution, 978-0-
+Riddle, A .G . Antarc tica Station Destruction. This is an international 374-60713-5, $28.99, 282pp, hc, cover by 593-71035-7, $19.99, 339pp, hc) Young-
(Bloomsbur y UK /Head of Zeus/Ad edition with US and UK prices. Ebook Alex Merto) Haunted house horror novel. adult dystopian SF romance novel set
Astra, 978-1-035913817, £9.99, 400pp, also available. Our Street Books, <www. Black siblings raised in a spooky house in 2364. Teen Liv is a lower-class proxy
tp) SF thriller novel. A doctor framed ourstreet-books.com>. in a white gated enclave have avoided selling her emotional memories to the
for a colleague’s mistake and facing it ever since, but go back after their wealthy, but her dreams of more lead
prison agrees to join a secretive research *Sandeen, Del This Cursed House parents die an unnatural death. Ebook her to take illegal jobs, setting a rookie
project in Antarctica, where she realizes (Penguin Random House/B erk ley, also available. officer on her trail. A first novel. Ebook
something strange is going on. This is 978-0-593-63952-8, $29.00, 372pp, hc, also available.
an international edition with US and UK cover by Tony Mauro) Southern gothic *St. Clair, Scarlett Apples Dipped in
prices. Ebook also available. First UK horror novel. A young Black woman Gold (Sourcebooks/Bloom Books, 978- *Thao, Dustin When Haru Was Here (St.
edition (Legion Books 1/24, not seen). leaves 1960s Chicago for a new life in 1-4642-1688-6, $12.99, 217pp, tp) Dark Martin’s/Wednesday Books, 978-1-250-
New Orleans, only to find the family who fantasy romance novella, second in the 38471-3, $19.99, 303pp, tp, cover by Zipcy)
*Rivera, Lilliam Tiny Threads (Penguin hired her know about her ability to see Fairy Tale Retelling series, inspired by Young-adult novel about coping with grief,
Random House/Del Rey, 978-0-593- spirits, and want her to break the curse the Brothers Grimm & others. Ebook with possible fantasy elements. A teen
60047-4, $28.00, 237pp, hc) Supernatu- they’re under. A first novel. Ebook also supposedly available July 2024. 

LOCUS December 2024 / 59

  Books Received *Vo, Nghi The City in Glass (Tordotcom, Books, 3602 Atwood Road, Stone Ridge remember the plan and is punished by
978-1-250-34827-2, $24.99, 213pp, hc, NY 12484; <www.qaraqbooks.com>. being stuck in the Girl’s university life.
devastated by the death of his best friend cover by Cristina Bencina) Fantasy Ebook also available.
copes by creating imaginary scenarios in novel/love story about a demon and an Wells, H.G. The Food of the Gods and
his head, until one suddenly comes true: angel, thrown together by the destruc- How it Came to Earth (WordFire Press, *Wood, L. Marie The Horror Aesthetic:
A boy met in Japan the previous summer tion of a city and a curse, who discover a 978-1-68057-673-3, $15.00, xv + 251pp, Essays from the Dark Corners of the
turns up in real life, except no one else fascination in each other and in remak- tp) Reprint (Macmillan 1904) classic SF Genre (Mocha Memoirs Press, 978-1-
can see him. ing the city. Ebook also available. novel. This has a new foreword by Paul 962353-14-4, $18.00, xvii + 205pp, tp,
Di Filippo. A hardcover edition (-674-0) cover by Maya Preisler) Non-fiction
Thorne, Rebecca A Pirate’s Life for *Wagner, Nicholas Bedlam Trances was announced but not seen; ebook collection of critical essays, nine reprints
Tea (Tor/Bramble, 978-1-250-33317-9, (self-published, 979-8-3355709-4-7, also available. WordFire Press, <www. (some revised), from over the last ten
$19.99, 368pp, tp, cover by Irene Huang) $7.39, 158pp, tp, cover by Greg Clark) wordfirepress.com>. years, plus course material, looking at
Reprint (self-published 2023, not seen) Collection of nine stories of crime and the horror genre from the perspective
cozy fantasy sapphic romance novel, horror, set in various periods, including *Wharton, Thomas The Book of Rain
(Penguin Random House/Random of a female African American author,
second in the Tomes & Tea series. This one in the future; some have fantastic from craft and publishing to the current
has sprayed edges. elements. A print-on-demand edition; House Canada, 978-1-03-900243-2,
C$35.95, 410pp, hc) Environmental SF state of the genre. Includes bibliographic
ebook also available. notes. This is a print-on-demand edition;
*Trussoni, Danielle The Puzzle Box suspense novel in three parts, ending
* Walters , Jacquie Dearest (Lit tle, in the far future, involving a Canadian a hardcover edition (-15-1, $25.00) was
(Penguin Random House/Random announced but not seen; ebook also
House, 978-0-593-59532-9, $30.00, Brown/Mulholland Books, 978-0-316- mining town rendered uninhabitable by
58029-8, $29.00, 292pp, hc) Horror ghost ore, a valuable new energy source available.
320pp, hc) Thriller novel with possible
fantasy elements, sequel to The Puzzle novel. Fiona, a new mother needing help, which can disrupt time and space. This
lets her estranged mother stay to help, is dated 2023, but not seen until now. *Yun, Jungeun The Marigold Mind
Master. Genius puzzle-solver Mike Brink Laundry (Penguin Random House/Dial,
goes to Japan for a contest to open a but starts thinking her mother has let
in something evil. A first novel. Ebook Whistler, Laurence Captain Dalgety 978-0-593-73393-6, $22.00, 248pp, hc,
legendary puzzle box sealed since the Returns (Biblioasis, 978-1-77196-639-9, cover by Holly Ovenden) Fantasy novel.
end of the Shogunate, which has so far also available.
$7.95, 57pp, ph, cover by Seth) Reprint A magical laundry cleans stains from
killed all who try to open it. Wang, M.L. Blood Over Bright Haven (James Barrie 1952 as part of The Sec- people’s hearts. Translated by Shanna
(Penguin Random House/Del Rey, 978- ond Ghost Book) short story, illustrated Tan. A paper-over-boards edition; ebook
*VanderMeer, Jeff Absolution (Macmil- 0-593-87335-9, $29.99, 448pp, hc, cover
lan/Farrar, Straus, Giroux/MCD, 978-0- by Seth as part of the Seth’s Christmas also available. Simultaneous with the
by Elwira Pawlikowska) Reprint (self- Ghost Stories series published by Doubleday UK edition. 
374616595, $30.00, 528pp, hc, cover by published 2023, not seen) steampunk
Pablo Delcan) SF novel, a fourth volume Biblioasis. This is a small-format trade
fantasy novel of dark academia, about paperback. Biblioasis, <www.biblioasis. October 2024 Year to Date
in, and prequel to, the Southern Reach the first female highmage at her univer-
trilogy. Told in three parts, each about a com>. SF Novels 20 SF Novels 222
sity. This has sprayed edges and illus- Fantasy Fantasy
new expedition to the place that would trated endpapers. Ebook also available. *White, Kiersten Lucy Undying (Pen-
be called Area X. Ebook also available. Novels 32 Novels 337
guin Random House/Del Rey, 978- Horror Horror
*Wang, Tiffany Inferno’s Heir (Bindery 0 -593-72440 -8, $28.99, 446pp, hc,
* Verso, Francesco, ed. Solarpunk Books/Violetear, 978-1-959411-77-2, Novels 20 Novels 141
cover by Audrey Benjaminsen) Gothic Paranormal Paranormal
(Flame Tree Press UK, 978-1-80417-935- $15.95, 400pp, tp, cover by Dan Funder- romance/horror novel about Lucy West-
2, $26.99, 410pp, hc, cover by Simonetta burgh) Young-adult fantasy novel about Romance 24 Romance 129
enra from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, her life Anthologies 11 Anthologies 90
llani) Anthology of 14 SF stories of dif- a fire-wielding outcast princess who afterwards as a vampire, the woman she
ferent hopeful futures. Authors include infiltrates a rebel army to gain leverage Collections 18 Collections 132
finds to love in 21st-century London, and Reference 0 Reference 17
Renan Bernardo, Brenda Cooper, Ken with her cruel half-brother, soon to be her determination to destroy Dracula
Liu, and Sarena Ulibarri. Part of Flame king. A first novel. A hardcover edition History/ History/
once and for all. Ebook also available. Si- Criticism 3 Criticism 44
Tree’s Beyond and Within series. Issued (-89-5, $39.95) is available exclusively multaneous with the Del Rey UK edition.
without a dust jacket, with metallic cover from Bindery. Ebook also available. Bind- Media Related 7 Media Related 41
design, stencilled edges, and ribbon. ery Books, <www.binderybooks.com>. *Wilkens, Colby If I Stopped Haunting Young Adult 26 Young Adult 217
Ebook also available. An international You (St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250292902, SF 4 SF 17
edition with US and UK prices. Weinstock, Stephen The Qaraq (Qaraq $18 .00, 305pp, tp, cover by Jenifer Fantasy 11 Fantasy 111
Books, 979-8-35091-661-4, $23.88, Prince) Fantasy rom-com novel about Horror 5 Horror 36
*Visitor, Nana Star Trek: Open a Chan- 535pp, tp) Reprint (Qaraq Books 2014, feuding authors at a writers’ retreat Paranormal Paranormal
nel: A Woman’s Trek (Insight Editions, not seen) fantasy novel inspired by the in a haunted Scottish castle with very Romance 6 Romance 43
979-888663016, $50.00, 271pp, hc, cover Arabian Nights stories, first in the series real ghosts. A first novel. Ebook also Other 0 Other 0
by Tom Ralston) Non-fiction, a look 1001, The Reincarnation Chronicles; available. Omnibus 1 Omnibus 5
at the way the Star Trek franchise has told through 1001 past-life stories (77 in Art/Humor 1 Art/Humor 33
portrayed and influenced women over this volume) about a qaraq, a group of * Witherkeigh, Victor y The Demon Misc 26 Misc 154
its 60 years, written by one of the stars. souls reincarnated together over many (BookBaby, 979-8-35095-111-0, $15.99, Total New: 189 Total New: 1,561
Includes interviews with actors, writer, lifetimes. This is the third edition, copy- 306pp, tp) Fantasy novel inspired by Reprints & Reprints &
producers, and celebrity fans. Simulta- righted 2023; any degree of revision is Filipino mythology, sequel to The Girl. Reissues: 36 Reissues: 404
neous with the Titan Books UK edition. unknown. Ebook also available. Qaraq The Demon possessing the Girl can’t Total: 225 Total: 1.965

Charles Payseur only when she encounters a group of her people had no control in doing. It’s odd but compelling,
 p. 13 who have been captured, who she is supposed to and Althoff vividly captures the mix of emotions
implant with the loyalty chips, that she finds the swirling around this chance encounter.
unfolds a bit like a choose-your-own adventure, opportunity to do something. The piece looks
except that the options are very limited. Because heavily into complicity and individual effort Recommended Stories:
you are a girl who likes girls, and that means you and culpability in the face of pervasive injustice. ‘‘Tornado Breakers Don’t Cry’’, Stefan Alcalá
are a monster, you can either accept it or fight Regan has to live with what she’s done, and what Slater (Flash Fiction Online 9/24)
against it – can either attempt to deny who you she continues to do to both try and survive and ‘‘My Mother’s Voice and Shadow’’,
are or embrace a world that is that much more try to make that survival mean something. Held A.W. Prihandita (Cast of Wonders 9/24)
dangerous. Tellingly, safety and ease are off the crafts a tense and complex narrative that doesn’t ‘‘The Aquarium of Lost Souls’’, Natasha King
table entirely, and the choices the story offers let readers look away from the human costs of (Strange Horizons 10/24)
range from difficult to impossible. Zhu shows what’s happening, but also doesn’t condemn ‘‘Water Baby’’, Tonya R. Moore (F&SF June ‘24)
that sometimes freedom isn’t a happy ending Regan for not being able to singlehandedly defeat ‘‘Friends of the Fanilae’’, H.L. Fullerton
free from strife, that sometimes freedom is still an entrenched and powerful empire. It’s very (Kaleidotrope 10/24)
facing down hardships and going on regardless, much worth checking out! ‘‘Fuck Them Kids’’, Tatiana Obey (Fiyah 10/24)
unbent by the pressures to conform and erase ‘‘To Hunt the Grey Lady’’, Chris Willrich
what makes you... you. It’s wonderful! The latest from Small Wonders opens with Sylvie (Beneath Ceaseless Skies 10/24)
Althoff’s strange ‘‘Business As Usual’’, which ‘‘In Every Version of the Universe, You Are
R.Z. Held appears in the October GigaNoto- unfolds in a grocery store as the story’s narrator Gone’’, Oluwatomiwa Ajeigbe (Baffling 10/24)
Saurus with ‘‘To Sacrifice Others’’, which finds realizes their cashier was in their dream the last ‘‘To Sacrifice Others’’, R.Z. Held
Regan alone, working for an enemy that assumes night. Indeed, the cashier killed them. And given (GigaNotoSaurus 10/24)
it has her loyalty thanks to an implanted chip that everyone has been sharing a dream lately, ‘‘Business As Usual’’, Sylvie Althoff
in her brain. Luckily for her, though, a previous where they all run through a wood hunting or (Small Wonders 10/24)
modification that went unnoticed has allowed being hunted, they know the cashier remembers –Charles Payseur
her to push back against the control and see the what happened as well. Which is... awkward. The
full horror of what she’s a part of – an empire piece complicates the social contract by having Review material may be sent to <cypayseur@
built on the co-opted loyalty of vast swathes this shared dream space encroach on the wak- gmail.com>. 
of its subjects. She wants to fight back, but it’s ing world, pushing people to confront what they

60 / LOCUS December 2024

 A.C. Wise having a long-term affair. It’s a lovely character has left their physical body behind finds themself
 p. 14 study, and a wonderful approach to a disaster haunted by their relationship with their father
story. ‘‘Transitive Properties of Names’’ by and his refusal to accept them for themself. It’s a
Kalt is a flash piece about an explorer trying to Mark W. Tiedemann explores the challenges in- nicely done exploration of the complex emotions
honor his grandfather’s legacy by making dis- herent in communication between species with that can be involved when it comes to family,
coveries on a new planet. a fundamentally different understanding of life, where a bond still exists, even when the relation-
‘‘Sleeping Giant’’ by Kedrick Brown sees a sci- death, and the self, as a collective consciousness ship isn’t a positive one. ‘‘Fast Women, Loose
entist named M make a research breakthrough tries to explain what happened to a member of a Lips, and Treasure Ships’’ by Josh Pearce is a
after observing the behavior of ants and growing ship’s crew to those who knew her best. fast-paced exploration of identity. Pilots Thing 1
curious about their intelligence. ‘‘The Ones Who ‘‘Sex and Lies on the Internet of Things’’ and Thing 2 have been modified and augmented
Refuse to Walk Away’’ by Andrea Kriz offers by Filip Wiltgren is a flash piece about an AI to such a degree that even they question whether
up an effective take on the classic ‘‘The Ones seeking a human body who turns to a shady they are still human. When a salvage operation
Who Walk Away from Omelas’’, reflecting on purveyor of all things questionably legal for help. on an ark ship populated only with corpses puts
what it means to live with violence, how much In ‘‘Best Practices for Safe Asteroid Handling’’ their lives in danger, the two women begin to
people will tolerate, and what walking away and by David Goodman, asteroid miner Xavier is reassert their personalities and their own de-
becoming a refugee might mean. In ‘‘A Stream assigned to train a new recruit named Halstead. sires for their futures. ‘‘Gaiatosis’’ by Andrew
of Leaves’’ by Tony Ballantyne, Rachel finds What at first looks like a simple lapse in judge- Sullivan focuses on a woman named Sally who
herself taking a dangerous winter journey on the ment around safety regulations turns out to be blames herself for an environmental recovery
planet Orion after an encounter with a stranger, an attempt on Xavier’s life. Halstead mistakenly project gone wrong, causing a membrane to
even as she seeks to free herself from reliance on believes that Xavier has power and status that form over the ocean, suffocating the planet. Her
alien technology and being beholden to others. he does not, and that the other workers are op- estranged husband, Pat, is also dying, and the
‘‘Carter’s Refugio’’ by Hayden Trenholm is a pressed, leaving Xavier to convince him of the two events lead her to consider the meaning and
procedural set in space. Willie Lumen arrives at truth while trying to stay alive. ‘‘It’s the Prin- nature of death itself, as well as what it means to
a remote station to investigate a disappearance, ciple of the Thing’’ by Tim McDaniel is a very survive and what the future might look like in a
and discovers a violent murder, leaving him to brief flash piece about an electron pulled over for vastly changed world.
untangle the complicated web of motives and speeding. ‘‘Firegrounds’’ by Jen Downes focuses
parties involved. on a fraught relationship between a mother and Recommended Stories
‘‘The Circumambulation’’ by James Van Pelt son, exploring guilt and responsibility. Jac has ‘‘High Performer’’, Jason Pangilinan
is an effective take on an alien invasion story, devoted her life to fighting fires, while her son (khōréo 4.2)
placing the invasion itself in the background, seems intent on setting them. When she arrives ‘‘Human Trials’’, Madeleine Vigneron
and foregrounding two individuals caught in at the scene of a blaze after picking her son up (khōréo 4.2)
a crumbling marriage. The story is told in al- following his most recent arrest, she discovers ‘‘Minnie and Earl Have a Kitten’’,
ternating points of view between Tyson, who is he’s removed his tracker and has been gravely Adam-Troy Castro (Analog 9-10/24)
largely oblivious to the danger as he sets out to injured as a result of the fire he helped start. ‘‘The Circumambulation’’, James Van Pelt
swim around the lake, and Carol, who has been ‘‘Starburst’’ by Meghan Hyland also deals (Analog 9-10/24)
glued to news of the disaster even as she meets with fraught family relationships, moving flu- –A.C. Wise 
up with their neighbor with whom she’s been idly throughout various realities as a pilot who

Liz Bourke Meanwhile, Kit and Benito also find each other Antilles for life in the Æcerbot Empire, where she
 p. 15 attractive, which offers complications of its own. has assimilated into this racist and rigid society,
In its atmospheric Low Countries city setting absorbed its standards, and succeeded in becom-
first step is to recruit (rescue) a scholar out from and appealing team of misfits on a mission, The ing an officer in the merchant marine by dint
under the very nose of the Magister of the Church Book of Gold recollects Leigh Bardugo’s Six of of being three times as effective as anyone else.
Imperial. Lyta’s not thrilled to have to work with Crows. Long’s characters are compelling, while Her Æcerbot lover, Alba, is an upwardly mobile
Sylvian, whom the king has commanded to keep her worldbuilding is fascinating and hints at so administrator at the Ministry of Trade, and her
her on mission: There’s too much history between much more around the edges. Her prose is breezily life seems to be on course for success when her
them. Complicating matters, other figures in the readable, and the tension – both interpersonal and captain’s illness means she finally has a chance to
Amberes underworld have it in for Lyta, Lyta’s otherwise – mounts to a set of striking climaxes take command. Unfortunately, a mere encounter
god is somehow invested in the outcome of their and a satisfying conclusion, even though precisely with the Antillean privateers that raid Æcerbot
task, and the Duchess may well be even more none of the heists go to plan. trade is enough to create suspicion, while her
dangerous than her temporal power implies. Oh, I’m very fond of the caper story, as a form. Fan- captain’s death from his illness proves damning
and Lyta really wants to find out what happened tasy could use more of them. The Book of Gold is for her. Arrested on charges of treason and mur-
to her vanished husband, so she’s actually eager to an exceedingly fun example. There’s going to be a der, Virika never has a chance for exoneration:
get inside the Duchess’s fortress. Together with the sequel. I can’t wait. Tried and condemned, she’s sentenced to life
aristocratic siblings Beatriz and Benito Alvarez, imprisonment in the solitude of Æcerbot’s deepest
who have magical skills and hidden knowledge of Trinidadian-Canadian author Suzan Palumbo oubliette-style prison – which does, at least, have
long-lost gods, Lyta, Kit, and Sylvian might have draws on Caribbean history, culture, and experi- the salutary effect of pulling off her blinders when
a chance at success. ence in her space opera novella Countess. Pa- it comes to the empire’s injustice and exploitation.
This is a hectic, fast-paced caper, one in which lumbo has been previously best known for short This section of the novella, and Virika’s ensuing
very few of Lyta’s plans turn out well. Impulsive fiction: Her collection Skin Thief was published years in imprisonment, is compelling. Character-
and given to improvisation, it seems she tends to by Neon Hemlock Press in 2023. focused, moving forward with the inevitability of
succeed, where she does succeed, on luck as much As a novella, Countess is a mixed bag. Its first tragedy, it strips Virika of most of her illusions
as skill. As a character trait, this is fantastic for a half is genuinely compelling, while its second and leaves her with nothing. The prison scenes
protagonist: She plunges headlong into trouble feelts to me like an excellent synopsis for a much are atmospheric, harrowing in their isolation:
and escapes by the skin of her teeth. She, Kit, and longer novel: There is a distinct shift in style, focus, This nadir the pivot point in Virika’s character
Sylvian are The Book of Gold’s viewpoint char- and register, from the character-focused space journey. It takes a sympathetic prison guard – a
acters. Kit, steadier and more thoughtful, makes opera of the beginning to something more like a part-Antillean who has lost everything, who sees
for an interesting foil for his sister, while Sylvian is folktale’s collection of didactic snapshots, and the in Virika someone who reminds her of a late, great
very nearly as impetuous, just along different lines. shift didn’t work for me. Antillean revolutionary who almost managed to
Sylvian and Lyta are still attracted to each other, a Virika Sameroo is a model immigrant. She and take on the Æcerbot hegemony – to draw Virika
state of affairs to which their history gives an edge. her parents left the poor and exploited Exterran 

LOCUS December 2024 / 61

 Liz Bourke co-worker who framed her for murder and that definite messages, and it just didn’t land for
 her ex-lover, now a big cheese in the Ministry of me, especially when compared to Countess’s
Trade, was a witness against her. It would recol- first half.
away from wanting to die and into preparing lect Dumas’ revenge classic The Count of Monte I really wanted to like Countess: It’s queer, it’s
for an escape, and that escape is only possible Cristo, save that this all takes place in the last angry, it’s got great space opera adventure bones,
through the guard’s sacrifice. four chapters of this ten-chapter novella, and it draws deeply on the Caribbean and transports
The latter part of the novella sees Virika join feels much more a sketch of an outline than a it to a science fictional future. As it is, I loved
a privateer crew, forge a new relationship with a fully developed narrative. Palumbo has a point half of it. Perhaps if the second half had been
woman connected to the last Antillean uprising, or three to make. (Those points appear to be: five times as long, giving room for it to be as
find and retrieve buried treasure, set herself up solidarity among the oppressed is important; fleshed-out as the first half, I would have loved all
under the name of the Countess of Sando, orga- and also it doesn’t matter if you remember hav- of it. Still, there’s no question that on a sentence
nise an Antillean blockade against the Æcerbot ing great sex with them – trusting ambitious level Palumbo is an accomplished writer. I look
Empire, and bring Antillean leadership together members of the imperial bureaucracy will get forward to seeing her grow into the confidence
to negotiate a more equitable state of affairs vis- you killed, nine times out ten.) The latter half to take up space in long-form narrative.
a-vis the Æcerbots, discovering along the way of the novella condenses years of growth and –Liz Bourke 
that her downfall was on account of a jealous change into a series of snapshots that have very

Colleen Mondor romance with a childhood friend, the develop- parents, and almost three dozen others, in a mys-
 p. 18 ment of all sorts of new friendships and, as Kiela terious accident in a Manhattan subway. Estela
wanders about the island, the sort of coming-of- knows what she saw before everyone else died,
and a desire for ‘‘a book that felt like a warm hug.’’ age novel for adults that anyone who has started but she doesn’t know what it means. The authori-
(I get that sentiment because boy howdy, 2024 has over will appreciate. But there is also the constant ties quickly latch onto an agreeable explanation
been some kind of tough for a lot of us.) Plenty of threat of discovery hanging over anyone who uses for the tragedy, and Estela finds herself in the
pastries make appearances in the narrative, and magic and the evident frustration (which on the state’s care. When an aunt she never knew existed
raspberry jam actually proves to be quite impor- mainland sparked the rebellion), among Caltrey’s makes contact, it seems like the best for everyone
tant, but this gentle magical romance also raises inhabitants about all they lost by not maintaining that she go and live with her in Spain. The aunt
some prescient questions about who should have their own magical knowledge. Here is a passage turns out to be decidedly unpleasant (and maybe
access to knowledge and what good governance that stayed with me: dangerous), and the castle, well, anyone can see
is for. Durst accomplishes her cozy goal with ease, there is something very wrong about that castle.
‘‘We didn’t think we’d need it,’’ Halio said.
but don’t dismiss The Spellshop as light reading. ‘‘The emperor’s sorcerers always came, Then she meets Sebastián, who is either a ghost,
(In fact, let’s not even dismiss ‘‘light reading.’’) with spells so much grander than our a demon, or a manifestation of her own tortured
The story of a runaway librarian and her sentient homespun ones. The older generation brain. Will he help her or kill her? Why is her aunt
spider plant(!) has a lot to tell readers about right was happy to leave the spellcraft for the lying to her? What keeps the townspeople so con-
and wrong and why community matters. There experts, and the experts were eager to nected to the castle? And how did all those people
is also the saving of a merbaby, the care of some insist their way was best. And then some die in the subway? More questions, few answers,
merhorses, the building of shelves for raspberry fluffed-up bureaucrats in the capital with and then things get bloody. (Did you forget that
jam, and a lot of spellbook research to save ailing no knowledge of the outer islands or I mentioned vampires?) And just when you start
magical trees. So yes, The Spellshop feels like a how the world’s interconnected codified to think maybe Castle of the Cursed is the clas-
that into law, and, well, where does that
warm hug, but in the middle of all that are a few leave us now?’’ sic horror as advertised, Garber throws a science
strong left hooks at a monarch who isn’t paying fiction twist at her heroine that will either strike
attention to his subjects and some rebels who There is no question that The Spellshop strong- you as wildly inventive or a convenient plot twist
don’t quite get the message about good gover- ly succeeds as romantasy, and Durst’s many fans designed to provide some much-needed answers.
nance either. will love it. But its subversive political elements Either way, I promise it is a surprise almost as
Kiela is a librarian in her country’s capital city have stayed with me long after the sweetness of shocking as how Estela and Sebastián work out
which, as the novel opens, is under attack from a Kiela’s moments with books and jam. The author their unconventional relationship. (The ending...
rebellion fueled by frustration at the government’s is sending a message with this book, and it’s one whoo boy!)
tradition of maintaining strict control of access we should be listening to; it also fits perfectly with Castle of the Cursed is enjoyable, if somewhat
to magic. Spells are performed only by certain the best of science fiction and fantasies with strong predictable, right up until the moment that Garber
approved wizards, a group that has become in- anti-authoritarian impulses. takes the plot off the rails and into extremely un-
creasingly small over the years. Punishment for expected (and decidedly foreign) territory. Estela
violating the rules on spellwork is harsh and many The cover of Romina Garber’s Castle of the goes about searching for clues, makes a friend she
more distant areas of the country, particularly Cursed includes the line ‘‘The House is Always lies to, sets off into the forest at night without a
its outer islands, have suffered as those in power Hungry,’’ and readers should consider that a light source (or weapon), forgives some grievous
have become increasingly stingy about when fair comment on the story within. As soon as harms against herself and her family a tad too
spellmaking can occur. While Kiela was aware of recently orphaned Estela arrives at what she has easily, and falls for the guy that you know she is
all this, it had little impact on her life, which was only recently learned is her family’s ‘‘ancestral going to fall for after he promises he will not kill
spent entirely (living and working) in the great Spanish castle,’’ the house plays a huge part in the her (or drain all her blood). I’m uncertain if the
library. When the war arrives at her doorstep, plot. What does it know, what does it want, and author succeeds on blending genres, however,
she is shocked; the other librarians have long fled why is it so tied to her family history? These are and the science fiction aspects of the narrative are
without even taking the time to warn her. Kiela questions that traumatized Estela must answer its weakest, but I guarantee a whirlwind reading
had been crating up books to potentially send out as she uncovers secrets about her parents (and experience when you settle down to follow Estela’s
to safer locations when, suddenly, along with her herself) through researching local history. The dark adventure. Garber is a fearless writer, tossing
assistant Caz (the aforementioned sentient spider secrets are just the beginning, though, because all sorts of catastrophes in the path of her protago-
plant) she has to jump on a boat with her literary Garber has crafted, as the publisher declares, a nist, and as I said the ending is... wow. If you have
stash and save herself. In due time she arrives at ‘‘Mexican Gothic meets Dracula’’ novel, and if dark and stormy nights in your future, then Castle
Caltrey, the island where she lived as a child. Back you’re wondering if that means vampires, I can of the Cursed is a suitable companion; just make
in her parents’ cottage, Kiela settles into village tell you yes – in a very big, very violent, and very sure to keep a flashlight (or iPhone app) handy
life but she soon realizes that magic is desperately bloodthirsty way. It’s not just the house Estela has because, really, that’s basic Teen Detective 101
needed in Caltrey, and so she opens the books and to worry about, it’s who else arrives there when she and forgetting it is hard to swallow.
gets to learning what has long been forbidden. does and what he wants – no, needs – her to do. –Colleen Mondor
Durst tosses into the narrative a brewing The story begins with the death of Estela’s

62 / LOCUS December 2024

 In the same way, our legacy is not something we to the roving, violent gangs, the charismatic-
Ian Mond can control, our obituary will be an imperfect cultlike leaders and the breakdown of civilisation,
 p. 19
encapsulation of our imperfect lives. Whether we skipping all the boredom, misinformation, and
known’’ (Peregrine echoing Donald Rumsfeld). are one of the 36 or an outsider artist not recog- celebrities singing ‘‘Imagine’’. As Charles Stross
After the etymology of ‘‘Poppy,’’ we come to nised in their lifetime or an artificial intelligence said after he abandoned a zombie epidemic novel
our first obituary, a Mr Crowley, an expert in in a sculpted body dealing with grief, we are all at the height of the pandemic, ‘‘COVID-19 came
floriography (the art of attributing meaning and trying to make sense of this brief time we have. along and basically rendered the whole thing un-
language to flowers) killed during the American None of us is guaranteed epiphanies or closure; necessary because we are all getting a real world
Civil War. We are told by the author of the piece just a hope that what we did and left behind meant crash course in how we deal with people suffering
that ‘‘Mr Crowley was an artist, a man of science, something to someone. from a viral pandemic.’’
a lover of love... I weep for his wasted vitality, I That’s my issue with The Way. While Groner
weep for his roses, withering on their vines, and In Cary Groner’s second novel, The Way, a heavily briefly acknowledges COVID (the forerunner to
for the poppy that will grow on the battlefield mutated and infectious avian flu wipes out 80 per- the mutated avian flu and Disease X), the novel
where he exhaled his final breath.’’ cent of humanity. The event, dubbed ‘‘Mayhem’’ reads like the product of a different time, one
I’ve walked you through the first few pages of by the survivors, leads to the expected break- where worldwide pandemics were the subject
the novel partly to give you a taste of the structure down of civilisation – ‘‘starvation; migration; a of history (Dafoe, the Influenza pandemic of
but mainly because a traditional plot précis won’t brief, limited nuclear exchange; then finally the 1918-19) and the imagination. It’s not that the
convey the word-associational quality of the text, return of endemic diseases like TB, diphtheria, killer virus (or zombie epidemic) as a subgenre
the way it skips between time periods (going back typhoid, cholera, malaria, and plague’’ – but no longer has a place, but that the bar is now so
to the Roman Empire) and jumps between top- also the emergence of a new pathogen, ‘‘Disease much higher. Take Ling Ma’s Severance, writ-
ics. In taking us on this winding journey, Robins X,’’ which lies dormant until a person hits their ten at the cusp of the pandemic. It still resonates
brilliantly layers a portrait of Peregrine, her forties, eating away at their sanity until they die. with me because it uses its world-ending virus
‘‘maker and consort’’ Matthew Fletcher, and the Will Collins is 52 years old, yet to feel the bite (originating rather presciently from China) to
individuals, many of them artists, who directly of Disease X. Once a science writer, haunted uniquely explore late-stage capitalism and the
and indirectly led to Peregrine’s creation and the by his wife’s death, he has spent the last fifteen immigrant experience. The Way struggles, in
extraordinary birth of a human daughter. Along years alone as the caretaker of a dharma centre my view, to reach a similar watermark because
the way, we’re introduced to a version of Anne in Colorado. An unexpected message from an old it leans so heavily on well-worn tropes of the
Frank that’s very different to the one we know – scientist friend has Will leave the relative safety past – the armed militias, the collapse of criti-
I’m deliberately being vague – and we learn about of Colorado for California. There, he will hand cal infrastructure, the fight for resources – and
Dante Pellegrino, the famed silent actor, and her over a possible cure to Disease X, contained in a resembles more recent killer virus fare such as
involvement in a controversial 1926 film chroni- tiny ampoule, ‘‘a tenth of the size of my smallest The Last of Us. Not only is Will, much like Joel,
cling the legend of Saint Wilgefortis. (‘‘Most of fingernail’’ secreted inside his body (he hasn’t transporting and protecting a possible cure for
the movie consisted of lengthy intimate close-ups been told where). But Will’s survival is not as- a disease, but around a third of the way through
of the eponymous Wilgefortis’s face [as played sured. Postapocalyptic challenges aside, the the narrative, he becomes the reluctant guardian
by Pellegrino]).’’ The Wilgefortis section comes leader of the American Revolutionary Militia, ‘‘a of Sophie, who, similar to Ellie, is a hardened and
around a quarter of the way through the novel, brute named Flynn,’’ is on Will’s heels, desperate cynical fourteen-year-old who faces a precarious
and if I wasn’t already in love with Remember to get his hands on the cure. All Will has on his future. Even the trajectory of their relationship
You Will Die, this most certainly sealed the deal. side are his wits, two hardworking mules, and is reminiscent of the father/daughter bond that
As I suggested above, Remember You Will the companionship of Peau the raven and Cassie forms between Joel and Ellie.
Die is about many things. It’s about mothers the cat, with whom he can communicate. Yes. I All this isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy aspects of
and daughters, it’s about outsider art, it’s about might have buried the lede. Will can talk to and The Way. It’s nice to have a hero in his fifties who
sentience and artificial intelligence, it’s about the understand the language of his raven and cat. is a pacifist and is wracked with guilt when forced
nature of time, it’s about the Tzadikm Nistarim or Before 2020, the killer virus novel and films – to resort to violence. Peau and Cassie are a fantas-
Lamed vovniks (the 36 righteous people in each like The Stand, Station Eleven (which The Way tic double act. They give the novel a welcome tinge
generation who, according to the Talmud, are has been compared to), Oryx and Crake, The of weirdness while reinforcing the importance of
in connection with God and sustain the world). Outbreak and Contagion – acted as a caution- friendship and love even as the world falls apart.
These themes and concepts might initially seem ary tale, a fearful (and vicarious) reminder that There are also several standout cinematic set-
random, and to an extent, that’s true based on something as microscopic as a virus could bring pieces, including a thrilling sequence involving
the novel’s haphazard structure, where a theme down civilisation. Initially, people were drawn two trains, a tunnel, and the possibility that the
is picked up and then dropped after a handful of to these works at the height of the pandemic as line might give out at any time. For me, though,
pages only to be engaged later in the book. But if they might prophesize what was to come. But these elements aren’t enough to differentiate The
just as we come to understand the influences once the tedium and ever-present anxiety of lock- Way from so many killer virus novels that have
and tensions that led to Peregrine’s development down kicked in, those books and movies lost their come before it, works written before we had an
and her daughter’s birth, an overarching theme lustre. Four years later, there is something almost inkling of what a pandemic might be like.
also emerges. As the title states, we will all die naïve about those pre-COVID works, especially –Ian Mond 
no matter who we are, how famous or ordinary. the novels, and how quickly they jump straight

Alex Brown missing for a while. As the games heat up, so do about generational trauma, processing childhood
 p. 21 things between Maxwell and Lucian. Complicat- abuse, and how to acknowledge one’s own abusive
ing matters is the arrival of Raven, a pickpocket he behavior and work toward restitution and restor-
at the chance for power. turned into a vampire years before, and a betrayal ative justice with survivors. However, by the end of
He may look 17, but he’s all sharp teeth, hard from his closest friend. the book, the analogy peters out in lieu of bloody
muscle, and bloodthirst. Or, at least he was. Now Although marketed as young adult with a main spectacle and a romance novel ending. Lucian is
he’s just a cute, wealthy, shallow boy competing for cast mostly in their late teens, much of the book bad because he’s a vampire, and the evil humans
the hand of a boy even more insufferable than he is. felt more like a crossover title than actual YA. I are evil because they’re vampire hunters. While
Lucian is up against a lot of competition, including think that has more to do with Ferraro not giving yes, it’s more fun to watch a bad guy get got, the
snooty Isabel, the probably neurodivergent Cecelia, the abuse analogy enough weight. Much is made lessons the story seemed to be leading to are more
hotheaded Melbourne, and meek Violetta. Rather of how Lucian is turned evil by the vampire who or less forgotten.
than Ambrose, Lucian feels himself drawn to the turned him, and how that abuse trickled down into Speaking of bad guys, I wish Ferraro had done
youngest Harclay, Maxwell, a boy desperately Lucian’s treatment of Helena and Raven. It seemed more with them as well. They’re so one-dimension­
searching for his brooding brother, who has been like Ferraro was setting up for a real conversation 

LOCUS December 2024 / 63

 Alex Brown and Ferraro pulls that off in A Vile Season. Lucian, for the list of vampire hunters, but eventually it
 Maxwell, Raven, and Helena are so intriguing and becomes the thing everyone deals with when they
complicated that I didn’t really care what they were aren’t dancing at balls, traipsing around the rain-
al it’s hard to get too worked up about them. The doing. I only wanted to spend time with them. Even drenched countryside, or being hassled by Raven.
human baddie is a character you’ve seen a million the secondary characters like Zachariah, Ambrose, Without the mystery, there’s little tension, but the
times before. He’s so wicked all he needs is a mus- Cecelia, and especially Isabel and Violetta were mystery is also so straightforward that it was a little
tache to twirl and a cat sitting in his lap that he can well-developed and nuanced, often in ways I didn’t surprising that it took Lucian so long to figure it
pet. Vrykolakas, meanwhile, is almost cartoonishly anticipate until the end. out. On the other hand, what comes of Emmett’s
evil. You mean to tell me that the best plan an As much as the Bridgerton meets The Bachelor disappearance leads to some chaotic fight scenes
ancient, bloodthirsty monster can come up with elements are hyped in the marketing, there’s also a and a wholly satisfying resolution.
is manipulating one young man into seducing an- big mystery element. If anything, it’s also a bit like It’s hard to get too bothered by the parts of David
other young man in hopes of gaining control over the early seasons of Angel or Teen Wolf, in terms Ferraro’s A Vile Season that don’t stick the land-
their vampire hunting empire? The guy who cares of a main character who is a monster with a soul ing when all the stuff surrounding those weaker
so little about humans that he thinks of them as ba- and the breezy mystery. Whatever happened to moments are so much fun. It’s an action-packed
sically cattle but who also apparently knows all the Emmett Harclay takes up much of the plot, even melodrama full of pining glances and swooning
hot goss about a bunch of rural human lordlings? interrupting the marriage games and Lucian’s sighs. Plus blood. And broken bones. And lots
That said, I don’t actually mind silly setups in flirtation with Maxwell. At first, Lucian uses his of murder.
fantasy or romance as long as the characters are in- investigation as a way to both worm his way into –Alex Brown
teresting enough to patch over the weaker elements, Maxwell’s good graces and as an excuse to search

Alexandra Pierce years could assimilate quite so quickly: Imagining Rab and Muree’s adventures become a grand tour
 p. 23 myself talking to someone from, say, Cnut’s Eng- of the solar system, and Muree learns all about how
land seems unimaginable. Of course we have had the Frame and the Mask work. The novel becomes
and other issues, conservatism – this is the way it phenomenal technological change in that time – overly didactic – especially because it was inspired
always has been and the way it must continue to but even for someone from (what we call) England by classical, pre-Copernican conceptions of the
be – has reigned supreme; any challenge must be in 1024 talking to someone from England in 2024, solar system, which then need to be explained also.
dealt with swiftly. Which is, of course, the grit that the differences would be enormous. Baxter does Fortress Sol is an enjoyable, standalone,
becomes the pearl here. This questioning of the address this issue briefly, mentioning ‘‘translation hard-science fiction novel; it’s evidence, if it were
status quo was a deeply satisfying part of the novel. circuits’’ and essentially suggesting the deliberate needed, that big engineering ideas can still become
There are aspects of the story that don’t entirely conservatism of both cultures has prevented too excellent stories.
work. In particular, I found it hard to accept that much change; but it did feel awkwardly hand- –Alexandra Pierce 
humans who have been separate for a thousand wave-y. Another heavy-handed aspect is when

might have been responsible for their parents’ Besides the writing itself and the compelling,
Gabino Iglesias deaths. Haunted not only by memories of the bizarre story Solomon tells here, this novel is also
 p. 24
house and the trauma that left them with, now interesting because it doesn’t focus too much on
Ezri and her sisters, Eve and Emanuelle, have the sisters must also face the trauma they have the supernatural side of horror the way a haunted
very different lives, but they have all worked hard accumulated since leaving home, their collective house story usually does, but still manages to
at the same thing: staying away from the suburban past, and their individual demons. embrace horror completely and very openly. Hor-
Dallas home in which they grew up, a place in I said ‘‘stunningly written’’ in the first paragraph, ror has always been a lens, an atmosphere, and
which they were the only Black family. Sadly, now but that doesn’t quite cover it. Solomon tackles that is always present here, even when the most
they have to go back. Ezri’s parents are dead, so a lot of important themes here – motherhood, horrific elements in the story come from real life
the sisters must return. The loss of their parents is grief, gender, depression – but they do so while experiences.
a shock, but the sisters’ main concern is the house also paying attention to every sentence, to finding Solomon is a very talented storyteller with a
where their parents died, the same house where the perfect way to convey a huge sentiment in a unique voice, and this novel shows them at the
they grew up; the place is haunted. It was a place few words: ‘‘I’m not a person but a place where height of their powers. Model Home is always in-
where strange, bad things happened. It was a place bad things happen.’’ Lines like that are sprinkled tense and unpredictable. It goes into strange places
from which their mother would pull them in the in almost every page, and they make the big ideas and not every surprise is equally powerful, but the
middle of the night. A bad place. And now the and emotions of the narrative slice into the reader wild ride is strange, scary, sad, and totally worth it.
Maxwells are back, and they all know the house with their precision. –Gabino Iglesias

Karen Haber tures a very personal compilation of the greatest Divided into eight thematic sections with sub-
 p. 25 hits of a specific decade’s SFnal art by Adam Rowe, categories devoted to such popular subjects as
editor, retro SF art aficionado and blogger. It of- space cats and space helmet reflections, Worlds
the humorous and the horrific, sometimes in the fers a lot of nostalgic pleasure, revisiting the Age Beyond Time is buoyed by Rowe’s enthusiasm
same panel. Her skill at depicting science fiction of Aquarius-influenced work from science fiction and devotion to his subject.
hardware is enviable. The art is fun and funny, the legends like Michael Whelan, Leo and Diane Dil- Among the artists featured include Richard M.
adaptation moves along nicely, and the characters lon, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, and John Berkey, to Powers, Don Ivan Punchatz, Frank Kelly Freas, Leo
shine forth in all their addled complexity. In name but a few. and Diane Dillon, Frank Frazetta, David A. Hardy,
standard panel art format, this hardcover graphic The book’s design isn’t elegant but gets the job Robert McCall, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, Paul Lehr,
novel has deluxe production values – paper, color done, and contains many delights including su- Chris Moore, Wayne Barlow, Bob Eggleton, John
– and deserves attention from graphic novel fans. perb endpages featuring art by Dean Ellis, Angus Berkey, Boris Vallejo, Don Maitz, Clyde Caldwell,
Voyaging, Volume 1: Plague Star offers much McKie, Michael Whelan, and Rodney Matthews. I and Bruce Pennington.
amusement, action – and, of course, cats. I’m wish the index did not feel quite so crammed into This celebration of hand skills – actual paint-
looking forward to Volume 2. a crawlspace. I might quibble with the amount of ing! – at the dawn of the digital era recalls a heady
space given to certain artists – not enough – but moment in SF art and marks an artistic commu-
Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s, there are design and cost limitations to be con- nity on the cusp of change. It’s lots of fun. Highly
punches above its weight. This hardcover blast sidered, availability of the art itself, and the space recommended.
from the past, a 2024 Locus Awards finalist, fea- limitations that bedevil all art book editors. –Karen Haber

64 / LOCUS December 2024

 Divers Hands the advances made in the rights and freedom of
 p. 27 women. It is partly in response to this backsliding
that the funder of the North American Inside,
there a cure for Bekele? – is offstage, presum- a female CEO with a bestselling autobiography
ably for these threads to be resolved only in the and a Lean In-type lifestyle brand, decides to
final instalment. populate her safe haven solely with women. Men,
Both books excel at imagining the great she reasons, have been the cause of the world’s
cosmic expanse. Global Black culture emerges problems since time immemorial. Her female-
through the characters and Muungano culture, only society, she announces, will breed a new
making the story a delicious blend of worlds type of human, ready to rule the world with a
that feel deeply familiar and new at the same healing hand.
time. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the novel The awkwardness of the conversations that
engages with the historical consciousness of immediately ensue over the presence of trans
Black oppression as part of its interstellar explo- and gender-nonconforming people in this space
rations, as the colonial encounter is so inherent is our first hint that this might not be an entirely
to mainstream science fiction that it often goes robust theory of human behavior. Much of Yours
unnoticed. for the Taking is taken up with the exposure of
In Broaddus’s work, the Muungano are deeply the feminist Inside’s shortcomings and failures.
sensitive to systems of oppression and excavate Capitalism, it turns out, trumps feminism, and
ancestral knowledge to become better citizens the supposed saviors of humanity are rigidly con-
of the galaxy. Yet what felt to me like a missed trolled with surveillance and drugs. By the end of
opportunity was that the book does not seem the novel, the Inside’s leadership has collapsed,
to fully engage with its own criticism of the and the novel’s protagonists have escaped from it.
Muungano. Often in Breath of Oblivion, other Yours for the Taking’s follow-up, The Shut-
characters mention that they find the Muungano outs, focuses, as its title suggests, on the people
insufferably smug and self-righteous in their left behind when the Insides closed their doors.
perfection. Broaddus favours a more romantic As the first novel’s heroines, Ava and her daugh-
approach to the Muungano but, like all utopias, ter Brook, make their hesitant first steps through
I found their unfaltering goodness becomes te- a transformed and nearly empty wasteland, Ava’s
dious and would have liked to see the critiques former lover Orchid, who has learned about the
offered by characters explored to add more di- Inside’s abuses, races to meet them. Left behind
mension to these beautifully crafted characters. waiting for Orchid is her friend Camilla, who is
Broaddus is good at generating a cliffhanger, and caring for Max, an escapee from a cult. Thirty
I, along with other Afrofuturist enthusiasts, am years earlier, a woman called Kelly writes letters
eager to read the final book in the trilogy. to the daughter she abandoned, describing her
– Nedine Moonsamy youth as a climate activist and the more radical
approaches she embraced as climate collapse
ABIGAIL NUSSBAUM became inevitable. question that both novels return to is what
The Shutouts, Gabrielle Korn (St. Martin’s 978- The broader canvas allows Korn to imagine a people are willing to endure in the name of
1-2503-2348-4, $29.00, 304pp, hc) December wider range of responses to the collapse of so- safety. In Yours for the Taking, Ava is pressured
2024. ciety as we know it. Max grew up in the Winter into becoming impregnated with Brook by the

A
Liberation Army, a radical environmentalist Inside’s pro-natalist policies. One of the leaders
s climate change has become an ever- organization that practices strict population of Kelly’s radical group is a vicious misogynist
growing and more insistent presence in control – including exposing surplus babies who argues that feminism is a distraction from
our lives, it has also begun inflecting and – because their ultimate goal is to return the the real problem of solving climate change. Max
informing works of fiction, whose authors imag- planet to nature. After their reunion, Ava, Or- flees the WLA with a friend who was sexually
ine how the remainder of the 21st century will chid, and Brook take shelter on a former military abused by the group’s leader, but after a few
play out. Interestingly, it is writers coming from base whose caretaker has amassed a vast, silent weeks of rough living, that same friend chooses
outside the traditional venues of SFF writing and – and, it eventually transpires, incestuous – fam- to go back. And when Brook is nearly raped by
publishing who have most readily embraced this ily around him. Most people, like Camilla and the military base caretaker’s son, he suggests
topic, writing stories and novels about ordinary Orchid, eke out an existence in ramshackle shel- that she might want to endure it in exchange for
(though often relatively privileged) people facing ters, sifting through the detritus of the modern guaranteed food and shelter.
the sudden loss of normality in the face of the world for means of survival, constantly fleeing On a personal level, too, trade-offs between
disruption of natural and social systems. north ahead of floods and wildfires. safety and freedom often arise. There are
One topic that recurs in these fictional treat- There’s a certain degree of glibness to these multiple romances in the two novels, but often
ments is the idea of withdrawing into a safe portraits – exacerbated, perhaps, by the real- they make it difficult to distinguish between
haven: a gated community, a secret hideaway, a ization that this premise of sheltered, gentle genuine desire and self-interest. Ava becomes
bunker. Often these shelters turn out to be the people living in bunkers secretly controlled by involved with the Inside doctor who has been
personal playground of a billionaire looking to a corporate elite, while cults and scavengers manipulating her; Max propositions Camilla
practice social engineering (not to say eugenics). reign outside, is reminiscent of the Fallout games after weeks of her caring for them. And when
Invariably, the results are far from utopian. and TV series. Coincidences abound – Orchid safety is achieved in equilibrium with freedom,
Gabrielle Korn’s 2023 debut novel, Yours for and Ava reunite with ease, Kelly turns out to be there still remains the question of whether to
the Taking, starts with such a premise. As cli- connected to both Orchid and Max, Camilla’s hoard it for yourself. Should Ava and Brook
mate catastrophe looms, the governments of the sister has a connection to Ava. In a world that is stop to help an injured stranger? Should Camilla
world turn to the wealthy to construct Insides, suspiciously empty, suggesting die-offs on an ab- follow her community north, or stay behind to
ruggedized, closed-off regions spanning whole solutely immense scale, the right people always care for Max, who has broken their leg? Korn’s
cities into which only a select few will be admit- seem to survive in order to allow this extended handling of these questions strikes a persuasive
ted, and whose running is placed entirely in their clan’s story to come to a satisfying conclusion. balance between bleakness and hope, eventually
funders’ hands. Korn adds another wrinkle, Nevertheless, there are enough compromises leading her characters to a safe haven that feels
however, when she posits that one effect of and tough choices in these novels to make their fully earned.
climate change-induced collapse is to roll back heroes’ lives seem anything but charmed. One – Abigail Nussbaum 

LOCUS December 2024 / 65

LOCUS BESTSELLERS
months last months last
HARDCOVERS on list month TRADE PAPERBACKS on list month
1) Somewhere Beyond the Sea, TJ Klune (Tor) 1 - 1) Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower) 1 -
2) The Mercy of Gods, James S.A. Corey (Orbit US) 2 2 2) A Court of Mist and Fury, Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury US) 29 1
3) The Spellshop, Sarah Beth Durst (Bramble) 3 5 3) Long Live Evil, Sarah Rees Brennan (Orbit US) 1 -
4) Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower) 16 7 4) A Court of Mist and Fury, Sarah J. Maas
5) The Book of Elsewhere, Keanu Reeves & China Miéville (Bloomsbury US) 26 2
(Del Rey) 3 3 5) What Moves the Dead, T. Kingfisher (Tor) 2 -
6) Buried Deep and Other Stories, Naomi Novik (Del Rey) 1 - 6) All Systems Red, Martha Wells (Tordotcom) 10 -
7) The Games Gods Play, Abigail Owen (Red Tower) 1 - 7) Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Heather Fawcett
8) A Sorceress Comes to Call, T. Kingfisher (Tor) 2 1 (Del Rey) 2 -
9) A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Becky Chambers (Tordotcom) 29 9 8) The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, Mark Lawrence (Ace) 1 -
10) Deep Black, Miles Cameron (Gollancz) 1 - *) Never Whistle at Night, Shane Hawk &
PAPERBACKS Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr., eds. (Vintage) 7 6
1) Mistborn, Brandon Sanderson (Tor) 46 1 10) A Court of Wings and Ruin, Sarah J. Maas
2) The Way of Kings, Brandon Sanderson (Tor) 58 2 (Bloomsbury US) 22 3
3) Foundation, Isaac Asimov (Bantam Spectra) 18 4 *) One Dark Window, Rachel Gillig (Orbit US) 2 3
4) Dune Messiah, Frank Herbert (Ace) 37 - MEDIA-RELATED AND GAMING-RELATED
5) Hyperion, Dan Simmons (Bantam) 19 10 1) The Book of Bill, Alex Hirsch (Hyperion Avenue) 2 1
6) The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin (Ace) 32 9 2) Warhammer 40,000: The Horus Heresy: Horus Rising,
7) 1984, George Orwell (Signet) 28 - Dan Abnett (Black Library) 2 -
8) The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien (Del Rey) 52 - *) Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire,
9) The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss (DAW) 99 - Chris Kempshall (DK) 1 -
Somewhere Beyond the Sea, TJ Klune’s follow-up to his The House in the Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros dethroned Sarah J. Maas, moving A Court
Cerulean Sea, jumped to the top of our hardcover list in its first month of of Thorns and Roses into second place on our trade paperback list. Two
release. It had a substantial lead over James S.A. Corey’s The Mercy of Gods, Twisted Crowns (Orbit US), the second book in Rachel Gillig’s The Shepherd
which remained in second. Our new runner-up is Lucy Undying by Kiersten King series, was our new runner-up. There were 75 nominated titles, up from
White (Del Rey), which continues the story of Lucy Westenra from Dracula. 73 last month.
We had 54 titles nominated this month, up from 49 last month. On the media and gaming-related book list, The Book of Bill by Alex Hirsch
The top of our paperback list was a repeat of last month with Brandon came in first in a tight contest with our tied second place finishers Dan Abnett’s
Sanderson’s Mistborn taking the top spot, followed closely by his The Way of Warhammer 40,000: The Horus Heresy: Horus Rising and Star Wars: The
Kings. There were no new runners-up. Sixty titles were nominated this month, Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Chris Kempshall. There were no
down from last month’s 61 titles. new runners-up. We had 20 nominated titles, one more than last month.

Compiled with data from: Bakka-Phoenix (Canada), Book Moon (MA), Borderlands (CA), McNally Robinson (two in Canada), Mysterious Galaxy (CA),
Toadstool (two in NH), White Dwarf (Canada). Data period: September 2024.

GENERAL
RAL BESTSELLERS NY Times Bk Review Publishers Weekly Los Angeles Times
HARDCOVERS 9/1 8 15 22 29 9/2 9 16 23 30 9/1 8 15 22 29
Born of Blood and Ash, Jennifer L. Armentrout (Blue Box) 2 - - - - 24 - - - - - - - - -
Angel of Vengeance, Douglas Preston & LIncoln Child
(Grand Central) 3 - - - - 20 - - - - - - - - -
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower) 6 4 4 11 11 - - - - - - - - - -
Iron Flame, Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower) 7 5 5 9 8 5 4 8 11 10 - - - - -
The Coven, Harper L. Woods (Bramble) 10 11 10 - - 11 8 12 15 18 - - - - -
Lady Macbeth, Ava Reid (Del Rey) 14 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt (Ecco) - 13 11 - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Spellshop, Sarah Beth Durst (Bramble) - 14 12 - - 14 10 17 19 21 - - - - -
You Like It Darker, Stephen King (Scribner) - - 14 - - 19 15 23 - - - - - - -
The Games Gods Play, Abigail Owen (Red Tower) - - - 1 5 - - 1 4 6 - - - - -
The Cursed, Harper L. Woods (Bramble) - - - 3 12 - - 3 9 15 - - - - -
Passions In Death, J.D. Robb (St. Martin’s) - - - 4 14 - - 2 13 24 - - - - -
The Life Impossible, Matt Haig (Viking) - - - 6 6 - - 6 7 11 - - 1 2 2
Somewhere Beyond the Sea, TJ Klune (Tor) - - - - 1 - - - 1 7 - - - 3 9
Here One Moment, Liane Moriarty (Crown) - - - - 2 - - - 2 4 - - - 10 10
The Book of Bill, Alex Hirsch (Hyperion Avenue) - - - - - 2 3 11 14 3 - 9 - - -
Voyage of the Damned, Frances White (Mira) - - - - - 22 - - - - - - - - -
The Wren in the Holly Library, K.A. Linde (Red Tower) - - - - - 23 23 - - - - - - - -
Dungeon Crawler Carl, Matt Dinniman (Ace) - - - - - - 21 - - - - - - - -
The Book of Elsewhere, Keanu Reeves & China Miéville
(Del Rey) - - - - - - 22 - - - - - - - -
The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune (Tor) - - - - - - - - 23 - - - - - -
Six Scorched Roses, Carissa Broadbent (Bramble) - - - - - - - - - 17 - - - - -
The Bright Sword, Lev Grossman (Viking) - - - - - - - - - - 7 - - - -
The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley (Avid Reader) - - - - - - - - - - 8 - - - -
TRADE PAPERBACKS
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury US) 4 4 5 6 4 - - - - - 4 4 - 4 -
Apprentice to the Villain, Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Red Tower) 9 10 - - - 6 12 14 25 - - - - - -
A Court of Mist and Fury, Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury US) 10 9 10 12 12 - - - - - - - - 10 -
Just for the Summer, Abby Jimenez (Forever) 11 12 - - - 8 11 13 18 19 - - - - -
A Court of Wings and Ruin, Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury US) 13 11 14 15 - - - - - - - - - - -
Holly, Stephen King (Scribner) - - - - 11 - - 12 5 7 - - - - -
Masters of Death, Olivie Blake (Tor) - - - - - 13 23 - - - - - - - -
Long Live Evil, Sarah Rees Brennan (Orbit US) - - - - - - 20 25 - - - - - - -
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower) - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - 2
Ultra 85, Logic (Simon & Schuster) - - - - - - - - - 15 - - - - -
The Midnight Library, Matt Haig (Penguin) - - - - - - - - - - 3 - 4 8 -
Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro (Vintage) - - - - - - - - - - 7 - - - -
Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir (Ballantine) - - - - - - - - - - 8 - - - -
The Iliad, Homer (Emily Wilson, trans) (Norton) - - - - - - - - - - 10 - - - -
Circe, Madeline Miller (Back Bay) - - - - - - - - - - - 8 - - -
Babel, R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager US) - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 - -
Never Whistle at Night, Shane Hawk &
Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr., eds. (Vintage) - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9 -

Nightbane by Alex Aster; Chasing Embers by Glenn Beck & Mikayla G. Hedrick; Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli; Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma; Wisteria by Adalyn Grace;
The Darkness Within Us and The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller; Murtagh by Christopher Paolini; Sunderworld, Vol. I: The Extraordinary Disappointments of
Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs (Dutton); Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan; Powerful, Powerless, and Reckless by Lauren Roberts;
Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross; Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell; and Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas made the hardcover YA list. Apollyon,
Deity, and Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout; Lightlark by Alex Aster; and Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch & Beth Revis made it onto the trade paperback list. See Locus
Online for weekly charts of genre books on these and other general bestseller lists.

66 / LOCUS December 2024

NEW & NOTABLE
Aliette de Bodard, In the Shadow of the Ship 15 stories, including Sturgeon Memorial scattered across the globe fight to survive,
(Subterranean 9/24) This far-future SF mystery Award winner ‘‘Broad Dutty Water: A Sunken uncover secrets, and find a way to restore
novella is the latest installment in the author’s Tale’’, plus author notes and a foreword by what was lost.
popular and ambitious Xuya universe. Khuyĕn, Nisi Shawl, her collaborator on the title piece.
Rivers Solomon, Model Home (MCD 10/24)
now a magistrate, returns to the sentient ship ‘‘Hopkinson’s imagination is both unique and
Three Black siblings are forced to return to
Nightjar and the family she hasn’t seen since singularly important.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe]
their childhood home, in a white gated com-
fleeing as a teen to attend her grandmother’s
Michael Kelly, ed., Northern Nights (Un- munity, after their parents die, but the place
funeral... but a disappearance forces her to
dertow 10/24) This original anthology of 20 is haunted, and not just by bad memories.
face the past. ‘‘A sharp-edged and glittering
strange and chilling horror stories by Canadian ‘‘Stunningly written and full of the kind of
science-fictional gem.’’ [Liz Bourke]
authors includes work by leading lights of trauma that can only come from family, this
Harlan Ellison & J. Michael Straczynski, eds., dark fiction Rich Larson, Premee Mohamed, novel takes the haunted house trope and turns
The Last Dangerous Visions (Blackstone Silvia Moreno-Garcia, David Nickle, Naben it into something that feels entirely new, very
10/24) Harlan Ellison’s legendary (and infa- Ruthnum, and more. fresh, and packing an emotional punch that
mously unfinished) final installment in the lingers.’’ [Gabino Iglesias]
Ahmed Naji, ed., Egypt + 100 (Comma Press
ambitious Dangerous Visions anthology series
UK) This original anthology, latest in the ‘‘Fu- Jill Tew, The Dividing Sky (Joy Revolution
is here at last, thanks to his literary executor
ture Past’’ anthology series, features 12 stories 10/24) This YA debut mingles elements of
Straczynski, and features more than 20 sto-
by Egyptian authors, each set in 2111, a century dystopian SF and romance. Eighteen-year-old
ries by both original contributors and newer
after the January 25th Revolution in Tahrir Liv ekes out a living selling her memories to the
writers, including Mildred Downey Broxon,
Square. The editor’s introduction provides wealthy. When she takes on an illegal job that
Edward Bryant, Cory Doctorow, and A.E. Van
context on the history leading up the revolu- requires her to leave the safety of the Metro,
Vogt. Straczynski offers notes on the history
tion, its implications, and some background she draws the attention of Adrian, a handsome
and process of the project.
on Egyptian SF. It stands as ‘‘a testament to rookie cop who wants to crack down on the
Paula Guran, ed., The Year’s Best Fantasy: the vitality of Egyptian science fiction.’’ [Niall shady side of the memory trade.
Volume 3 (Pyr 8/24) Locus’s own Guran re- Harrison]
Nghi Vo, The City in Glass (Tordotcom 10/24)
turns with a new volume collecting some of
Keith Rosson, The Devil by Name (Random In this new dark and literary novella by the
the best short fantasy fiction of 2023, with 17
House 9/24) Rosson made a splash with liter- World Fantasy and Hugo Award winner, a
stories from authors including Eleanor Arna-
ary horror novel Fever House in 2023, and now demon tries to rebuild the fabulous ruined city
son, P. Djèlí Clark, Amal El-Mohtar, Ken Liu,
he’s back with a sequel, set five years later. of Azril while navigating her relationship with a
Catherynne M. Valente, and Fran Wilde.
The world has been torn apart by a plague cursed angel who was once a foe, and is now
Nalo Hopkinson, Jamaica Ginger and Other of uncontrolled violence, with corporations something more complicated. ‘‘It’s a beauti-
Concoctions (Tachyon 10/24) The SFWA and the government establishing quarantine fully written meditation on loss, reparation,
Grand Master’s newest collections includes zones while a cast of compelling characters and redemption.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe] 

SMASHWORDS (EBOOK)* AUDIBLE.COM (AUDIO)

SCIENCE FICTION SCIENCE FICTION
1) The Javan War, John Birmingham 1) Constituent Service, John Scalzi, narrated by Amber Benson
2) A Cyborg for the Alien Mercenary, Mina Carter (Audible Originals)
3) Downward Cycle, JK Franks 2) Not Till We Are Lost, Dennis E. Taylor, narrated by Ray Porter
4) The Leap, R.T.W. Lipkin (Audible Originals)
5) True Blue Kangaroo, Curtis C. Chen 3) George Orwell’s 1984, George Orwell, adapted by Joe White,
6) The Javelin Program, Derin Edala narrated by a full cast (Audible Original)
7) Fragile: A Novel, Alexa Weik von Mossner 4) Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein, narrated by R.C. Bray
8) The Complete Sons of the Starfarers, Joe Vasicek (Blackstone Publishing)
9) Chain Unbroken, Rick Griffin 5) Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir, narrated by Ray Porter (Audible Studios)
10) Kingdoms of Sorrow, JK Franks 6) Temporal, Julian Simpson, narrated by a full cast (Audible Originals)
11) The Antarctica Conspiracy, Derin Edala 7) Task Force Hammer, Craig Alanson, narrated by R.C. Bray (Podium Audio)
12) Cotton Crossing, Lilith Saintcrow 8) The Mercy of Gods, James S.A. Corey, narrated by Jefferson Mays
13) Atlanta Bound, Lilith Saintcrow (Recorded Books)
14) Alien Duke’s Fated Mate, Mina Carter 9) Dune, Frank Herbert, narrated by Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy,
15) Regi’s Crew, Lyn Gala Euan Morton, Simon Vance, Ilyana Kadushin, Byron Jennings,
16) American Exodus, JK Franks David R. Gordon, Jason Culp, Kent Broadhurst, Oliver Wyman,
17) Ghost Country, JK Franks Patricia Kilgarriff, and Scott Sowers (Macmillan Audio)
18) Banic, Mina Carter 10) We Are Legion (We Are Bob), Dennis E. Taylor, narrated by Ray Porter
19) Air and Ashes, Margaret Mantor (Audible Originals)
20) Parallels, Kfir Luzzattor FANTASY
FANTASY 1) A Court of Thorns and Roses, Sarah J. Maas, narrated by Jennifer Ikeda
1) Loved by the Alpha, Bella Moondragon (Recorded Books)
2) The Witch Collector, Charissa Weaks 2) Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros, narrated by Rebecca Soler and
3) Savage Lands, Stacey Marie Brown Teddy Hamilton (Recorded Books)
4) Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms, Sarah Wallace 3) A Court of Wings and Ruin, Sarah J. Maas, narrated by Amanda Leigh
5) Lost by the Alpha, Bella Moondragon Cobb (Recorded Books)
6) City of Ruin, Charissa Weaks 4) Iron Flame, Rebecca Yarros, narrated by Rebecca Soler and
7) Grayshade, Gregory A. Wilson Teddy Hamilton (Recorded Books)
8) Luna of the Alpha, Bella Moondragon 5) Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas, narrated by Elizabeth Evans (Bloomsbury)
9) Wolf Girl, Leia Stone 6) A Court of Silver Flames, Sarah J. Maas, narrated by Stina Nielsen
10) Son of the Alpha, Bella Moondragon (Recorded Books)
11) Timeborne, Sara Samuels 7) Quicksilver, Callie Hart, narrated by Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini
12) Lost Girl, Leia Stone (Podium Audio)
13) The Wolf and the Witch, Charissa Weaks 8) Queen of Shadows, Sarah J. Maas, narrated by Elizabeth Evans
14) Wild Lands, Stacey Marie Brown (Audible Studios)
15) Alpha Girl, Leia Stone 9) The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien, narrated by Andy Serkis
16) Legacy of the Alpha, Bella Moondragon (Recorded Books)
17) Mated Girl, Leia Stone 10) House of Flame and Shadow, Sarah J. Maas, narrated by Elizabeth Evans
18) Moon’s Knight, Lilith Saintcrow (Audible Studios)
19) Dead Lands, Stacey Marie Brown
20) Daughter of the Alpha, Bella Moondragon
* About this list: Every month, Smashwords reports the Top 20 Bestselling Science
Fiction and the Top 20 Bestselling Fantasy titles based on gross dollar sales. Sales
from the previous month are aggregated across Smashwords' global network of
ebook retailers and public library platforms, including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble,
Kobo, Scribd, OverDrive, Odilo, Baker & Taylor, the Smashwords Store, and others.
Visit the Smashwords Store: <www.smashwords.com>.

LOCUS December 2024 / 67

 similar to the Italian Renaissance. Navola is a rob from all of it. You get to take everything that’s
Paolo Bacigalupi wealthy trading city, and a center for merchant interesting, all the details you think are fun, but
 p. 11
banking, with inf luence that stretches up and you can toss away all the parts you don’t care about.
publishing didn’t feel so threatening anymore. I’d down the Cerulean Peninsula and across the Ce- ‘‘I didn’t want to write a monotheistic world, I
done enough therapy and recovery work that that rulean Ocean. It’s the story of a young boy named didn’t want to write about Catholicism – great, I
seemed like a less daunting challenge than it once Davico growing up in the incredibly powerful di can chuck it. I don’t like how the Medici family
had. At that point, I thought, ‘Let’s give it a shot.’ It Regulai merchant banking family. The boy’s father, rose and fell – great, I can chuck that, but keep
was an experiment to see if I was still going to be Devonaci di Regulai, manipulates not just trade merchant banking. I’m fascinated by how bank-
a writer. I remember thinking ‘If I package this up, and money – their family is wealthier than many ers influenced and were intertwined with politics,
can I sell it? Does anybody even want this? Is any of kingdoms – but also the politics of Navola, and the and how the mechanisms of banking became these
this relevant to the present moment, or is this just politics of the city-states around them with trade engines of wealth for the Italian city-states, and
something that works for me because it was a fun toy promises, and favors, and, essentially, bribes. The how phenomenal it was. The idea of capital was
to play with? Hey, maybe I’m obsolete, anyway. I’ve boy is a very naïve and kind-hearted boy, and he’s really getting going during this period, and sud-
been off the map for so long that maybe the world’s meant to inherit the reins of power from his father. denly you’re seeing just how powerful it could be.
just moved on, and it might not give a fuck anymore The central conflict is that Davico is not very well- So those parts I kept, and the architecture, all the
about what I write. But what the heck.’ suited to take on his future role, and this is very domes and porticos and columns and stuff – yay!
‘‘Looking back, I see now that I entered the public dangerous for the family. It’s the story of that boy ‘‘I was over in Italy, so some of that becomes
eye at a moment when the internet and social media coming of age in this Renaissance-like world. research – the best research is the stuff you didn’t
were gaining energy. It was a time when we hadn’t ‘‘I’ve never been able to concisely describe this even know you were looking for, but then you see
figured out the difference between a reasonable critic story. I cannot thumbnail it very well. Partly it’s a it and think, ‘I could totally use that.’ I was staying
and an asshole. There was a period where authors coming-of-age story, partly it’s an exploration of in Bologna, and one of the things about Bologna
really couldn’t tell. You perceived the internet as this entire fictional world of Navola and its politics was all these rival families in the city would build
being part of your social circle – your community and its people and their language and how they these towers, and they were defensive towers for
– when in fact it was a bunch of strangers who had think about one another, and it’s also an explora- their families, but they were also statements of
no interest in the well-being of authors – or anyone tion of all of these different people who surround wealth and importance. At one point, Bologna
really. That can really confuse the mind. We can the boy’s life, the Regulai family, all of his different was just spiked with these towers. But it’s also this
finally differentiate a little bit more between a person advisors, and their philosophies. The book is also really interesting architectural thing where the
who’s working in good faith, and a troll who’s looking philosophical in certain weird ways. landscape is telling you something about politics,
to create destruction, hurt, and abuse, but overall, ‘‘There are lots of different layers, histories, saying, ‘Oh, this city is not a cohesive political unit,
the internet is probably not the place to center your myths, cultures, and there’s also a layer of magic even though you’ve got a wall that goes around the
self-image. in it: There’s a huge fossilized dragon eye on the whole city – inside it, there are armed factions who
‘‘There was a point where it became very fashion- father’s desk, and it’s calling to the boy in some war with each other, and retreat into their towers
able to demand that fiction be morally hygienic. strange way. This is another part of Davico’s life, when they’re unsafe, then come out and attack
As if fiction was meant to be the toilet brush of that there’s this strange ancient magical artifact each other. They’d imprison one another in their
everybody’s minds. The tool for disinfecting society calling to him that’s sort of malevolent in itself. towers, all sorts of stuff. You can see this layer of
and making everybody’s thoughts moral and pure ‘‘The dragon came right from the beginning, be- anarchy clearly established in the architecture, and
and sparkly. That gets really tiring. We have laws cause I’d been looking for some new angle to write that’s not something that I would have organically
to enforce moral or ethical behaviors – I want my about a dragon for Strahan’s anthology. Dragons thought of, but it’s something that I could observe
fiction to be whatever the fuck it wants to be, and are pretty well-trodden ground. I came up with and then steal and bring into my own world.
I hope it’s chaotic and unsightly and anarchic, not the first line of the book: ‘My father kept a dragon ‘‘There are things like that – and then language,
moralistic. If someone wants to write something eye upon his desk.’ I liked this idea of this fossil- of course. When I was studying Italian, I started
moralistic, fine – writers should follow their bliss. ized eye being there, and the idea that a dragon’s to see how I could create an offshoot, a dialect of a
But the idea that every author should only write soul was contained within it, trapped inside for Romance language, and I could spin out my own
moralistic stories or have moralistic themes or all time. That was right on the page, right away. cultural language alongside Italian, and play with
content is horrifying – it’s dystopian. Then, as part of the larger exploration, it became that new language to make Navola even more
‘‘I didn’t talk to anybody about writing Navola this idea of, ‘What does the dragon represent?’ It specific than it was already.
while it was happening. I built it very quietly and became a representation of the idea of wildness ‘‘All of that was a delight. The moment when
then I looked at this gigantic story I’d built, and I and nature and all the things that are very different you come up with a new word, or a new curse,
realized there was no way it would fit inside of a from the boy’s upbringing in a city surrounded by all of that is just so good. When I came up with
single volume. I looked to see where I could sort the machinations of his father and the difficulties the idea of sfaccire, that people would mark their
of shave a chunk off and make that Book One of of sorting through the complexities of trade and cheeks on one another’s boots to show obeisance to
the larger story. Then I went back and I did a full banking and loans and risk and things like that – all somebody, that made me think, ‘Oh, now they’ve
revision on that chunk, and really built out all the the activities of humanity. got a marked cheek, I can use that as an insult, or
scenes and layers, as opposed to the initial version, ‘‘Outside of the city is a wilderness, a mountain- as an indicator of someone being owned by another
which was very much a discovery pass. This pass was ous area called the Romiglia, a wild area where person – it can be used in so many ways.’ I love that
much more of an editorial pass with an eye toward human beings don’t really go, and the dragon kind I made up this word and now I get to play with it.
making something not just for myself, but as if I was of represents an aspect of that wildness. Part of the ‘‘I don’t know how big the series is going to be.
going to give the gift of story to somebody else to book is about the split between human life and That’s something I’m trying to sort out right now,
read. But even then I don’t think I really even talked striving, which philosophically they call Cambios, actually. I sold two books, explicitly, to Knopf.
about it to my wife while I was creating it. It was just and the natural world, which philosophically they Right now I’ve probably got 60,000 to 80,000 words
something I was doing quietly, and then there was describe as Firmos. Eh. That’s another rabbit hole of the next book written. A lot of the old stuff that
a moment where I looked at it and thought, ‘Yeah. – I cannot describe this whole book! I wrote I’m setting aside or recasting because I
I’m going to send this to my agent.’ ‘‘I definitely did research. I was reading a lot thought up more stuff as I reworked the initial
‘‘The version I sent to my agent was about 150,000 about the period of the Renaissance, the people who book. I’ve got a ton of material, and I’m going to
words. It was very much like, ‘Hi! I know we haven’t populated it, the Medici family, the Borgias, the let the story be as long as it wants to be. If I need
really talked for the last five years, but here’s this warring city-states, the history of the mercenary to go back to Knopf and offer another book, I’ll
thing I made – do you think it’s sellable?’ I think companies during that period. The art too – it’s do that. If I can wrap it up elegantly in two, I’ll do
at some point during my dark period I’d sent him an amazingly colorful period because you’ve got that. I’m trying to be as loose as I can with it and
another book that he was not excited about at all, the Medici, the Borgias, Machiavelli, Leonardo da allow the thing to take on the shape that it wants.
some garbage I was generating in the 2016 period. Vinci, Michelangelo, all these people simultane- ‘‘It’s a lot healthier to write fantasy than it is to
He was right about that book; I binned it. But with ously, so there are a lot of threads to kind of follow. write terrible climate change futures. That was
this one, I was like, ‘Let’s see what happens,’ and he There’s all of this architectural stuff, Brunelleschi, another one of the engines of breakdown for me
got back to me and said, ‘I love this.’ it’s an embarrassment of riches. The pleasure of – the anxieties I had about the direction of the
‘‘Navola is set in a fantasy world that’s sort of writing a world that’s not Italy is that you get to world, and then writing stories that were even

68 / LOCUS December 2024

worse extrapolations of the direction of the world. never goes back – you can glue it, but you never get I love the silence.’ Nobody wanted me to go out into
It was stressful, and creativity was not a refuge, just it back to the way it was. Lately, I’m thinking that’s the world anymore. I didn’t need to do anything.
another stressor. the wrong metaphor, and that I wasn’t broken. I Everybody suddenly pushed pause, and pushing
‘‘With writing fantasy, there’s a greater sense don’t think necessarily, even when we go through pause was what I was trying to do anyway. It was
of play, and a greater sense of pleasure. I felt that terrible things, that we have to be broken. I think not good for my wife, and it was sort of weird for
on book tour, as well. It was so much more fun to now in terms of, ‘You can fall into holes, and other my son, but it was good for me.
talk about this book while I was on tour. A lot of people can dig holes for you to fall into, all sorts ‘‘While I was trying to figure my shit out, I ended
joy came out of that tour, when a lot of times, I’m of stuff. You can definitely end up down in a hole, up skiing a lot, and one of the fascinating things
drained by doing a book tour. In this case, I actu- really deep so you can barely see any light at all. about skiing is that there are a lot of variables hap-
ally found it inspiring to go out and meet readers But if you manage to climb out of the hole, that’s pening all at once, and over the last several years
and hear their reactions and talk about the book just in the past: ‘Wow, that was a terrible spot to I’ve ended up skiing more and more complex and
and everything. It was a very positive experience. be in. But I’m also not going back there – I’ll pass.’ dangerous terrain. A lot of what I’m skiing is double
Writing about high-intensity, present-day culture It’s a much more resilient space to be in, to think, black extreme terrain, where if you screw it up, it’s
topics automatically makes everything more tense. ‘Oh, yeah – I try not to jump into holes anymore.’ consequential. It’s interesting – if you wreck or if
Writing about your terrible future makes your life As opposed to, ‘I was broken,’ or, ‘I can be broken, you catch an edge, you might slide all the way to
more tense. I used to see other authors, friends of because I am brittle.’ It’s more like, ‘Yeah, I actu- the bottom. You might not be able to stop yourself,
mine who seemed to be enjoying their lives a lot ally prefer not to live in holes, much like the rest of because it’s just too steep. It’s interesting to be in
more as writers, and I’m seeing what that can be humanity prefers not to live in holes.’ that terrain because there are all these things where
now. I’m like, ‘Oh, this is kind of neat – this is a ‘‘Through all of the stuff that I was doing – you can get caught in the space of thinking, ‘I better
whole different version of writing. I like this version whether it was therapy or antidepressants or not fuck this up.’ The more concerned you are about
of being an author.’ journaling or somatic therapy or meditation or fucking something up, the more likely you are to
‘‘There’s one book, or maybe sequence of linked psilocybic microdosing – all of the work to get execute badly on what you need to do.
novellas or something like that, that I’m still pok- myself to a place of centeredness and intentional- ‘‘There was this particular ski run I was on, ba-
ing at that’s science fictional and related to climate ity, I can see these step changes in myself and my sically an avalanche chute over in Crested Butte.
change. I think it’s a worthwhile project, and it’s mood. Even the difference between six months You ski down this steep slope, and you end up in
interesting enough. Writing fantasy is definitely ago and today! Things seem to keep getting bet- this tight, tight chute. There was this moment I was
more pleasurable right now, but this particular ter. There’s been another sequence of step changes skiing down, it was very steep and then very tight,
story has a couple of characters I like in it, so I can recently where things that used to be overwhelming so there’s not a lot of room to maneuver. I was in
see myself coming back into it. I’m interested in challenges or difficulties for me, just are not there this spot where I came to a stop, and I was looking
different formats for stories, too, so I like the idea anymore. They are just not problems in the same down at what I needed to ski next, and I was skiing
of making some kind of serialized thing with no- way. It’s fascinating to observe that, because they with a couple of friends, and they went straight
vellas. Dip in, attach another story, and keep going felt so real when I was in the hole – all of it was bad, down because they’re better skiers than I am and
episodically. That might be a fun creative thing. all of it was hard. It’s so fascinating to see that stuff they’re more comfortable. I took a pause, and I’m
‘‘The way I’ve done climate fiction SF a couple now barely be a ripple. I like that better, and it’s nice looking down at what I needed to ski next, and I
of times over the last several years is, I’ve writ- to discover it’s possible, even though I never would was absolutely horrified at what I needed to do.
ten a short story, because dipping in three or five have believed it. Four years ago, I never would have Another guy was skiing down from above me, and
thousand words is definitely more doable. It’s like, believed I could be in the headspace I’m in now. he comes to a stop, and I said, ‘Dude, you should go.
‘Okay, here’s a thought, or here’s something I think ‘‘We sometimes don’t have the vocabulary to talk I’m still trying to get my head right about this next
is worth exploring, but I’m not going to spend a about how fucked up we are. In the case of writers, thing.’ He looks down into this chute, and he’s like,
year and half immersed in that headspace.’ You can there’s a whole host of things that can be made toxic ‘Wow, dude! It’s like a giant natural half-pipe! This
plant a couple flags or say what you think is inter- inside of the business. The number of writers I see is amazing! This is the best skiing ever!’ He drops
esting, and then walk away again, and that’s kind who seem so powerfully damaged by their experi- down into this thing, and he proceeds to use not
of the mode that I’m in – for the moment, at least. ences as writers, it’s really wild. I don’t think there’s just the base of the chute but all the sides of it as
‘‘That was another question in my mind, coming a prescriptive recipe to say, ‘Okay, this is how you well. He rides up on one side, does a flip turn, comes
out with fantasy stuff instead of science fiction. do this, or this is how you dig out of this, or this is around, does a flip turn, and just proceeds to very
When I was going to send the book to my agent, what the healthy path is.’ But standing on the other easily and playfully descend this incredibly steep
for him to send to publishers, the question in the side of all the stuff I’ve gone through, I definitely thing. I watched him do it, and it was fascinating.
back of my mind was: ‘Am I relevant anymore? feel like it would be nice if there were more con- I was like, ‘Oh, yeah – that’s a whole other way of
Is this book relevant? Is the culture interested in versations throughout writers’ careers about some looking at this thing. What would it be like, if you
this anymore? Am I now a dinosaur? Is it time to common holes that you might find yourself diving thought this was play instead of terror?’ I followed
be forgotten?’ By changing so radically from what into, and maybe don’t dive headfirst onto that one. him down, and it was a delight.
I was doing before, that’s another question, too: It seems like we could do it better, and we could ‘‘I’ve thought a lot about these moments in skiing
Are the readers who appreciated my climate fic- weather the storms better if we had slightly better where so much of it isn’t the slope. The slope is the
tion interested in going off on a fantasy romp? Or tools or slightly better warning. slope, there are all these technical difficulties and
are they going to feel betrayed and disappointed? ‘‘I think it’s some combination of the amount of things you’re going to have to resolve. But, more
This is an experiment, and, ultimately, I have no effort it takes to make something, the amount of than anything, it’s how you’re thinking about that
control over the outcome. I’ve worked hard to get time it takes to make something. But there’s this slope, and the way you’re going to ski it, that affects
myself centered in the idea that if it pleases me, other component. I think writers are all, on some everything. If you’re approaching it with the right
that’s where I’m going to focus. I hope other people level, pretty needy. You have to be kind of needy if mindset, it changes everything! I am fascinated by
want to come along, and find something neat in you’re going to make a whole big thing and spend how, when you look at writing, you can approach
what I do. Every aspect of being an author can be years doing it and then give it to the outside world. your writing as being threatening, or you can ap-
made toxic if you spend your time focusing on You must have wanted something from the outside proach your writing as being painful, or a burden,
things you can’t control. There are so many things world to come back at you. Presumably, you’re hop- or as something that nobody is going to love. You
that we can’t control in this business, so I’m really ing for love and sales and all sorts of things, and can create terrible scenarios about the thing that
aiming to just focus on the things that are within that’s a vulnerable spot. There’s this thing that’s you’re making, and all of that’s internally gener-
the zone of my own control, and the zone of my precious to you, that you brought out into the ated. To be able to pause, and look at it, and say,
own intention, and the zone of my own pleasure. world, and it’s like you’ve almost created a voodoo ‘Wait, what’s the joyful version of this? What’s the
‘‘I dug myself out of this hole, and I kept dig- doll of yourself. You put that out into the world and pleasurable version, the exciting version, the fun
ging, and I clawed out, and I clawed out, but for a then everybody can just stab pins into it. That’s and silly version?’ Is there a way to be in the mo-
long time, I had this metaphor in my head that I not a great method – ‘Stick pins in me from afar.’ ment and, instead of feeling burdened, feel lucky to
was fundamentally broken. The problem with this ‘‘COVID came along at this moment that was do this thing? Since I’ve been skiing, I’ve been able
idea is that you can try to fix a broken body, but actually perfect for me, because I was already in full to translate bits of that experience into the writing
it’s always kind of broken; it’s always got the cracks meltdown, so having the world collapse was a very work, and it’s been really helpful.’’
and the holes in it, and it’s never quite fixed. Broken quiet spot for me. It was like, ‘Oh, this is wonderful. –Paolo Bacigalupi 

LOCUS December 2024 / 69

 Vajra Chandresekera of science fantasy – it sounds like something fun very linearly. I start at the beginning, and I write
 p. 28 is happening. till the end. I don’t jump around, and I don’t write
‘‘I had one trunk novel that I wrote in 2005. bits in the middle.
‘‘I enjoy writing. I know not all writers do, It was really, really bad, and I wrote it for Na- ‘‘The Saint of Bright Doors is about Fetter, a
but I very much enjoy the act of writing. Most tional Novel Writing Month. That was back when chosen one who is not chosen. He meets a lot of
people who ask what kind of books I write are NaNoWriMo was not embracing AI, long before people who are in that same situation –- who were
not conversant with the highly contested genre they got canceled – and deservedly canceled, I unchosen, or almost chosen and then abandoned.
boundary arguments. They’re people outside that might add. That was the only complete trunk I did that because there’s a very Third World sensi-
fandom space, looking for a simple answer like novel that I have. I’ve had a bunch of others in bility that I have, which I tried to put in the book,
fantasy or sci-fi – full stop. Or fantasy and sci-fi; various stages of completion over the years, but where you’re conscious that there’s a lot more going
it’s all the same to a lot of readers. What they mean I struggled to adjust my style, which was a very on in the world. We grew up watching disaster
is, ‘Is it genre or is it literary?’ For that, I have a short fiction-focused style. If you look at all my movies or alien invasion movies or whatever, and
straightforward answer: Tor marketed The Saint short stories, a great many of them are under two the alien ship was always above London or New
of Bright Doors as a fantasy novel and Rakesfall thousand words – the shortest range of short fic- York – they were never above Colombo. Part of the
as a sci-fi novel, which, to my view, is entirely tion. I was developing a style for the longest time, impression you get from that is that, whatever is
arbitrary. They could have gone the other way but I couldn’t translate it into novels. None of going on here, there’s always stuff going on else-
just as easily. It’s a question of how they thought the novel projects I tried in that ten-year period, where as well. There are always other stories that
each book would best be shelved in bookstores. when I was actively publishing short fiction, ever are intersecting with yours – and that’s the kind of
‘‘In terms of an abstract literary category, I actually went anywhere. In a lot of ways, The perspective I wanted Fetter to have in The Saint
think of myself in the tradition of the New Wave, Saint of Bright Doors actually is my first proper of Bright Doors.
the New Weird, and slipstream. All of that, to ‘‘Fetter is visibly not the only person going
me, is one tradition – the tendency away from through some kind of crisis/adventure/quest-
the Tolkienesque or the hard sci-fi molds toward
something more contemporary and more socially
I think of myself in the type story arc in the book. He meets and interacts
with people who are clearly on their own paths,
concerned. That’s the kind of thing I’m trying to
write, but there isn’t a good single name for it, tradition of the New and their stories are just as significant as his. He’s
not the center of their story, but he does play
because it’s been called different things by different
people over the decades. I’m sure people would Wave, the New Weird, some small, glancing part in their stories, the
same way that those people have a part to play in
disagree with the idea that all of these things are
really the same thing. But, very broadly speaking, and slipstream. All Fetter’s story. From a craft or technique perspec-
tive, I also was using that idea to give the story a
there is a tendency to look at the words on the sense of depth, because I feel like this is how we
page, and then there’s a tendency to look at the
world off the page, and I think of these as two big
of that, to me, is one encounter the real world: The real world is very,
very big. There’s a lot going on, and it’s impossible
schools of how to think about the fantastic in lit-
erature and speculative fiction. I lean very heavily
tradition – the tendency to keep up with everything that is going on in the
world. As modern humans who are plugged in to
to looking at the words on the page.
‘‘Ironically, I was asked about science fantasy
away from the Tolkien- the idiot box and the small demon machine, we
are very aware of how much information there is,
recently, in a roundup at Five Books. I don’t know
if they gave me that category because they thought esque or the hard sci-fi how much is going on in the world right now, how
much of it is absolutely terrible, and how difficult
my books were science fantasy, but I ran with it,
because they gave me the phrase. I do like science molds toward something it is to keep up with what is going on, much less
be able to gain a clear, unambiguous understand-
fantasy as a concept, and it’s having something of a
comeback. Especially in the aftermath of Tamsyn more contemporary and ing – to gain certainty about any of it.
‘‘A hazard of the way that fantasy is often writ-

more socially concerned.

Muir’s Locked Tomb books, which have put the ten is that you have these stories that make grand
phrase ‘science fantasy’ back into readerly usage, claims about the world: The world was made in this
when I hadn’t seen it in a long time. If you look way, there are specific magics in the world, and so
back to 20th-century antecedents of that phrase, novel – the first one that I thought I could sell. forth. These are definitive answers in ways that feel
Gene Wolfe is the one that everyone is going to ‘‘I sold a story to Apex fairly early on, but it very alien to me – I think to most people, really, but
mention. People bring up The Book of the New didn’t appear until 2013. There was a 13- or we’re trained by the genre not to find that certainty
Sun to me all the time, which is very flattering, and 14-month gap between acceptance and publica- as alienating as we should. Uncertainty makes for
also a little confusing, because I have been asked tion. My first actual genre publication was in a richer world, as a reading experience, and it also
if I made deliberate references here and there to Clarkesworld, which happened earlier in 2013; I makes for a more relatable kind of protagonist. I
those books – which I did not. I may have made wrote the story, sold it, and it appeared, all before find it very hard to relate to the kind of people
unconscious references, I suppose. the Apex story actually came out. The first sale who are absolutely sure, not only of what is right
‘‘I think science fantasy is a good way of de- and the first publication are two separate things. and wrong, but about what their options even are,
scribing my work because, if nothing else, it’s I met Neil Clarke at Readercon and I told him he because that is not anything like what it’s like to be
about straddling the boundary and making it a published my first short story, and he was like, a person in the world.
problem, and that is clearly the situation I find ‘Oh, I didn’t realize that was your first!’ ‘‘The Saint of Bright Doors is a story about
myself in. It’s hard to tell what kind of subgenre ‘‘I don’t outline. Or, I guess, I do kind of outline, a young man who is the son of two magically
my books are, specifically because they have dif- but not in detail. I’ve tried everything, basically, overbearing parents, who has been shaped into a
ferent parts that can be read in different ways, and over this 15-year span. I’ve tried a great many weapon in a very ancient war between them. He
different people take very different readings of techniques that didn’t work. Ultimately, what was raised to violence, but he’s refused it, and he’s
them. I think science fantasy is a good phrase for worked for me – and this is based on the three trying to live his life, but there’s no escaping the
it– I would be happy with that description. It’s a finished manuscripts I have – seems to be some- politics of the world he lives in, or the destinies that
term with a grand old history in its own way, with thing like: Write the first ten or 15 thousand words his parents have carved out for him. It’s also, on a
Clark Ashton Smith and so on. I prefer ‘science exploratorily, and that span is when I figure out more thematic level, about the colonial rewriting
fantasy’ to ‘speculative fiction,’ purely because my ending and my key plot points. That’s about of history, and how that leads to violent upheaval
it sounds pulpier. ‘Speculative fiction’ sounds the extent of my ‘outlining.’ Then, I just write. For in the present day.
very respectable, and the academy is very much the most part, I like to figure out the details as ‘‘Urban fantasy has been around for a long time,
engaged in trying to claim it and theorize about it I’m writing, because I enjoy following the thread but I wanted to comment on what it’s like to be
and have seminars about it. I like the pulpy sound of the story from paragraph to paragraph. I write modern in a place like Sri Lanka, because it’s a

70 / LOCUS December 2024

country with a very long history, where modern betraying each other, and one of them always dies. keep breaking out of every little box they’re in.
culture and politics are constantly referring back But they have to keep finding each other again and It’s a story about seeking freedom, which I think
to time so ancient that it’s actually, quite literally, again, and figure out how to both live in the worlds is appropriate for a somewhat rambunctious
mythic. The way we are taught our own history in that they encounter, and how to traverse them. second novel.
our textbooks is historical, at first: You have your Structurally, it’s very conventional. ‘‘In many ways, I’m aware it’s probably a poor
dates and your kings and all that stuff. But if you ‘‘Parts of Rakesfall appeared earlier as short sto- commercial or career choice. I don’t think it’s a
go back far enough, it shades so seamlessly into ries, and some of them were adapted quite heavily, good move to write a book that confuses the crap
mythology that even the textbooks don’t really but one or two are in there more or less as they were out of a lot of people, especially while you’re still
mark that boundary very sharply. That mythology published – for example, the one in Clarkesworld a relative unknown. My thought was, when you’re
has a very contemporary presence in the sense from 2018, ‘Heron of Earth’. When I wrote that a newish novelist, there aren’t a lot of chances to
that it’s the kind of thing that gets called out in story, I knew it was part of a longer story, but I land a relatively experimental book with a Big
election campaigns, and in speeches on TV by couldn’t figure out exactly what that longer story Five publisher, so that was an opportunity I had
political figures. This coexistence of the mythic was or how to tell it. One of my failed former novel in the wake of The Saint of Bright Doors. For me,
and the modern feels like a very real problem. It’s projects was to tell that story as a far-future story. Rakesfall is worth it for the artistic value of the
something we are forced to deal with. The latter half of Rakesfall draws heavily from that project alone. I don’t necessarily expect it to have
‘‘The Saint of Bright Doors was the fictional project. It wasn’t working because I had the ending the kind of reception that The Saint of Bright
version of that idea, which is a refusal to draw lines of that story, but I didn’t know where it began. I Doors has had, which is sad, because I would like
between magic, mythology, history, and fantasy. In didn’t figure that out until ‘Peristalsis’, which was to be a writer in a world where books like this are
theory, these are strict lines, but in practice, those published in The Deadlands, and became the open- broadly welcomed. I think the industry has had
lines are very fuzzy in real life – and I think that is ing of Rakesfall. I was writing short stories that, moments where things like that had mass appeal.
not just true in Sri Lanka, but everywhere. I wanted to me, were clearly part of bigger projects, but I I don’t think we’re in one of those moments now,
the book to reflect that fuzziness. Without think- didn’t have the whole project yet. I had this vague so I don’t expect Rakesfall to be a hit.
ing something really odd is happening, you can idea that it would be something like Rakesfall, ‘‘I don’t think of Rakesfall as a difficult book,
move from a very modern setting or mindset to spanning a gigantic stretch of time, and involving because I read dense books to relax, to let go, and
something that may be religious, or superstitious, some version of reincarnation. But I didn’t have the go with the flow. There are a lot of writers you
or outright mystical. You’re moving your mind actual story about the witches and the two main have to read that way, especially in the more ex-
and your self through these different worlds. If characters and their relationship, which is what perimental modes. If you read a text expecting to
you knock on wood, that’s a magical act. If you ties the book together. I came up with that part have a solid grip on it from beginning to end, there
listen to a religious-turned-political figure (every largely while writing The Saint of Bright Doors. are some books that you simply will not be able to
country has those), they are constantly blurring the ‘‘The vast majority of Rakesfall is new, and it was read. That’s a pity, because many of those books are
lines between what is political – in the most literal written as a novel. I knew where the short stories very rewarding. There are a lot of writers who do
sense of governance– and what is religious. And would plug in, but I wrote the rest of it linearly as really good work that way, and that is one of the
then you have an endless array of cults, grifters, a single narrative. I don’t think of it as a fix-up, traditions I wanted to work inside. Rakesfall, for
and snake oil salesmen, all of which blur the line because most of it is new material – and while it me, is one of those books. Though after a certain
between medicine and magic. does use previously published short stories, it uses point, the author has as little control over how the
For example, with COVID we had these grift- them in a way different from a story made up out of book is read as does anybody else.
ers who said, ‘Drink whatever magical gunk I just short stories would, because a lot of the interstitial ‘‘I used to read the short fiction slush pile at
brewed up, and it will cure COVID,’ and people sections wouldn’t actually work as standalone short Strange Horizons. There are some stories you start
would queue up for this thing, and of course make stories. A lot of the parts only work in context. on the first page, and you just know you’re going
themselves sicker – not necessarily from the gunk, ‘‘Rakesfall, in a lot of ways, represents the to have a good day – it’s rare, but it does happen.
but from queuing up in crowds to buy this stuff. inverse of The Saint of Bright Doors in terms of Those are the stories you live for when you have
The real world is much more like my book than we constraints. Saint was a first novel – I was very to go through a big stack of incoming stuff. Every
ordinarily want to recognize, because it forces us conscious the whole time that it was a first novel. now and then someone shows up who clearly
to acknowledge we live in a very irrational world It had to open doors for me, and get me past some knows what they’re doing, and whether they land
most of the time. hurdles. The industry is not friendly to weirdness. it or not, you know it’s going to be worth following
‘‘The divide between people who believe and There are certain levels of weirdness that you’re the story to see where it goes.
people who don’t believe is a political reality – allowed to pull off as a first-time writer, and I was ‘‘I’m working on a third book, and I have a
especially for people who don’t believe, it’s a very especially conscious of this as somebody quite far couple of other projects I’m juggling. I can defi-
problematic political reality, because you have to outside the centers of publishing. I can’t frequent nitely say I will not have a new novel out next year.
deal with people whose worldview is wildly differ- conventions and hang out with readers and I originally planned to have one because I have a
ent from yours, in ways that you can’t really argue whatnot. I didn’t start doing any of that stuff until three-book deal with Tor, but I’m taking a little
with rationally. They’ve precluded the possibility I got books published. I had to write a relatively extra time to finish the current project. So, hope-
of rational argument over things like vaccines, straightforward book that at least fit into certain fully, something will be out the following year. I
for example, which is a huge social issue. That’s a expected boxes, and for me that was The Saint of have a short story collection out on submission,
reality we all have to deal with, and it’s the kind of Bright Doors. and I have various short stories in anthologies and
conflict that I wanted to depict. ‘‘Rakesfall was the shadow project I started things, including, most recently, The Deep Dream
‘‘Fetter spends most of the book being extremely working on in the middle of Saint. Every time anthology from MIT Press edited by Indrapramit
confused. Some readers found that annoying, but I had an idea that was absolutely batshit crazy, I Das. I have a novelette in that, ‘‘The Limner Wrings
I think the only way any normal person could was like, ‘This is too much for The Saint of Bright His Hands’, which I think is my first new short
encounter a world this complicated is to be very Doors; that’s going in Rakesfall.’ It didn’t all go into story of the year.
confused by it. It’s a confusing world! What are Rakesfall, because some of them were actually too ‘‘The third novel is probably going to be more
you going to do? crazy, and I had to pull them back; they might end like The Saint of Bright Doors than Rakesfall in
‘‘Rakesfall is a gender-dysphoric story following up in a later book. Rakesfall as a concept started the sense that, so far, it seems to be following a
two people as they reoccur, or reincarnate, across taking shape when I knew I was in the homestretch single person through a very strange city. At the
different pasts, presents, and futures, from the of writing The Saint of Bright Doors. I was like, same time, it will, obviously, not be anything like
mythic ancient past to modern times to a far future ‘Okay, I can see how the second book is going to The Saint of Bright Doors at all. It has very differ-
that humanity has abandoned. The relationship play out, and I’m going to give myself permission to ent concerns, a very different type of protagonist,
between these two people changes as they evolve actually write without worrying about fitting into and I don’t know how it ends yet, because I haven’t
and are reborn. They become entangled in the boxes.’ Which was really funny, because Rakesfall, got to the point where I figure out the ending. So,
politics of every world they encounter, and they in a lot of ways, is a book about breaking out of who knows?’’
make trouble wherever they go, and they keep boxes. That’s what the characters are doing – they –Vajra Chandrasekera 

LOCUS December 2024 / 71

 (Hogarth); James, Percival Everett (Doubleday); about publications and editors and manipu-
The Data File The Bright Sword, Lev Grossman (Viking); lated me to such an extent that I still struggle
 p. 7
The Eyes Are the Best Part, Monika Kim (Ere- to trust myself and others.’’ The report is here:
Murakami, translated by Jay Rubin and Philip whon); The Book of Love, Kelly Link (Random <ethicsreport.tiiny.site/>.
Gabriel (Vintage); Earthlings, Sayaka Murata, House); Shanghailanders, Juli Min (Spiegel & On October 31, 2024, Ekpeki responded at
translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori (Grove); Grau); Hum, Helen Phillips (Marysue Rucci); length and point by point to the allegations made
Fever Dream, Samanta Schweblin, translated Playground, Richard Powers (Norton); State by Erin Cairns: ‘‘I think there was a lot of as-
by Megan McDowell (Riverhead); Grandmaster of Paradise, Laura van den Berg (Farrar, Straus, sumptions from, a lot of misunderstanding and
of Demonic Cultivation, Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Giroux); Absolution, Jeff VanderMeer (MCD); miscommunication on both sides, a lot on me,
translated by Suika and Pengie (Seven Seas). and Devil Is Fine, John Vercher (Celadon because I am handling a lot, while working and
Anthologies: Brave New Worlds, John Joseph Books). living in terrible conditions, while being chroni-
Adams, ed. (Night Shade); Loosed Upon the The selection was compiled by Time’s editorial cally ill. It’s the curse of being poor and disabled
World: The Saga Anthology of Climate Fiction, staff and book reporters. For the full list: <time. and in Nigeria. And I apologize for the pain that
John Joseph Adams, ed. (Saga); Octavia’s Brood: com/collection/must-read-books-2024>. caused. But I did not try to steal from Erin.’’ His
Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice post is here: <tinyurl.com/ym3x9v93>.
Movements, Adrienne Maree Brown & Walidah Christie’s SF Auction  Auction house On November 11, 2024, Ekpeki contacted us
Imarisha, ed. (AK); Diverse Energies, Tobias Christie’s has annonced their ‘‘first sale dedi- with additional information, linking to a piece
S. Buckell & Joe Monti, eds. (Tu); Reworlding cated to Science Fiction and Fantasy,’’ with bid- on File 770 and saying,
Ramallah: Short Science Fiction Stories from ding open from November 28, 2024 to December The major issues here have been
Palestine, Callum Copley, eds. (Onomatopee); 12, 2024. disproved. That I sent it in without her
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark The auction ‘‘will explore the extraordinary name on the bi-line.... Additionally, the
Fiction Anthology, Shane Hawk & Theodore C. history of the genres through the books, objects magazine has published white people
Van Alst, Jr., eds. (Vintage); Night of the Living and artworks that continue to inspire new gen- singularly and confirmed they would
definitely have published Erin collaborat-
Queers, Shelly Page & Alex Brown, ed. (Wednes- erations of readers and viewers.’’ ing with me. So her point about it being
day); New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction Highlights include The Dune Bible, ‘‘an an own voices magazine isn’t true either.
by People of Color, Nisi Shawl, ed. (Solaris); extraordinary artefact from Alejandro Jodor- Neither is the one about it being written
Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fic- owsky’s epic Dune project (estimate: £250,000- entirely by her. My contributions are there,
tion from the African Diaspora, Sheree Renée 350,000);’’ an ‘‘exquisite first edition of Mary albeit unsatisfactory to her. But it still
Thomas, ed. (Aspect); Love After The End: An Shelley’s Frankenstein in a contemporary doesn’t make it not a collaboration. Also,
I offered her payment multiple times as is
Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer binding, with provenance linked to Jane Austen in her own report.
Speculative Fiction, Joshua Whitehead, ed. and Mary Wollstonecraft (estimate: £250,000- Lastly, her claims of having edited
(Arsenal Pulp). 350,000);’’ a first edition of J.K. Rowling’s Harry works in Dominion or copy edited it are
Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels: Para- Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, ‘‘one of just false. She even made an apology about it
social, Alex de Campi & Erica Henderson 500 copies printed (estimate: £80,000-120,000);’’ public, and to Zelda my co-editor by email
and a first edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit as well, which she shared here.
(Image); XXXHolic, CLAMP (Kodansha); The File 770 post is here: <file770.
Hawkeye, Matt Fraction & David Aja (Marvel); (estimate: £8,000-12,000). com/two-accusations-against-ekpeki-
DIE, Kieron Gillen & Stephanie Hans (Image Other items include historical artifacts, origi- disproved>.
Comics); House of X/Powers of X, Jonathan nal book cover and graphic novel artwork, vin-
Hickman, Pepe Larraz, & R.B. Silva (Marvel); tage movie posters, and ‘‘natural history items, Previous to Ekpeki’s responses to the allega-
Uzumaki, Junji Ito (Viz); Monstress, Marjorie including rare and fascinating specimens that tions, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers
Liu & Sana Takeda (Image; Inuyasha, Rumiko bridge the worlds of paleontology and geology,’’ Association (SFWA) made the following an-
Takahashi (Viz); 20th Century Boys, Naoki including a Tyrannosaurus Rex tooth and rare nouncement on October 28, 2024, regarding the
Urasawa (Viz); No Normal, Ms. Marvel Vol. 1, mineral formations. removal of Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki from
G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona (Marvel). Mark Wiltshire, the books and manuscripts the board of directors.
Hidden Gems: Arboreality, Rebecca Camp- specialist for Christie’s, says, ‘‘This thrilling sale On 10/27/2024, the Board met to dis-
bell (Stelliform); The Ghost Bride, Yangsze spans the full spectrum of science fiction and cuss multiple ethics complaints regard-
ing Director-at-Large Oghenechovwe
Choo (William Morrow); Court of Fives, Kate fantasy, from its earliest origins to the beloved Donald Ekpeki after hearing statements
Elliott (Little, Brown); Come Closer, Sara Gran franchises of today... We’re excited to showcase from various parties involved. Mr. Ekpeki
(Hell’s Hundred); Tender Morsels, Margo La- books, artifacts, artworks and collectibles that was also given a chance to speak to the
nagan (Rh Childrens); Midnight Doorways, capture the enduring magic of science fiction Board regarding these complaints. After
Usman Malik (Hachette India); In Other Lands, and fantasy across centuries, offering something due consideration, and in compliance
Sarah Rees Brennan (Big Mouth); Confessions for both long-time collectors and passionate with Article V(5)(iii) of the SFWA Bylaws,
the Board voted unanimously to remove
of the Fox, Jordy Rosenberg (One World); Ten- fans alike.’’ Director-at-Large Ekpeki from his posi-
der, Sofia Samatar (Small Beer); Central Station, The items for auction will be exhibited Chris- tion on the SFWA Board of Directors
Lavie Tidhar (Tachyon). tie’s King Street location in London from De- for good and sufficient cause, effective
Reactor also compiled a list of “Your Favorite cember 7-12, 2024. For more: <onlineonly.chris- immediately.
Author’s Favorite Author” with contributions ties.com/s/science-fiction-fantasy/lots/3835>. The Board will not be answering ques-
tions on this matter to protect the privacy
from 19 writers. For more: <reactormag.com/ of the individuals involved.
the-most-iconic-speculative-fiction-books-of- Ekpeki Allegations  Multiple allegations
the-21st-century>. of unethical and unprofessional behavior on On October 29, 2024, the African Speculative
the part of Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki have Fiction Society (ASFS) released the following
Time’s Must-Read Books of 2024  recently been made, though some have been at statement:
Time magazine has released a list of 100 Must- least partly refuted or recanted. We are aware of the specific allegations
Read Books of 2024. Works of genre interest The controversy began with a post made in regarding ethics violations and appropria-
include: Ghostroots, ’Pemi Aguda (Norton); October 2024 by author and editor Erin Cairns, tion reported, and other public concerns,
The Book Censor’s Library, Bothayna Al-Essa which states, ‘‘I am reporting Oghenechovwe related to one of our members and
(Restless); Beautyland, Marie-Helene Bertino Donald Ekpeki for unethical practices. He Nommo award recipient, Oghenechovwe
(Farrar, Straus, Giroux); Your Utopia, Bora Donald Ekpeki.
submitted a story entirely written by me into We are also aware of the investigation
Chung (Algonquin); You Glow in the Dark, a black voices magazine without my name on and decision made by SFWA, however, we
Liliana Colanzi (New Directions); A Sunny the byline. He lied about who he knew and how have not received complete information
Place for Shady People, Mariana Enríquez well he knew them. He obfuscated information from all the parties involved, or a response

72 / LOCUS December 2024

 from Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki. IndieGoGo: <www.indiegogo.com/projects/ Antología (Anthology/Collection): Tierra de
As a membership organization of clarion-west-fall-fundraiser>. Meigas, Amparo Montejano (Numak)
African writers and artists, we are com- Libro de ensayo (Related Book): Breve viaje
mitted to upholding standards that foster
respect and integrity, and do not condone TAFF Nominations Open  The 2024 por la España de las brujas, Clara Dies Valls &
behaviour that causes harm or risk to Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund (TAFF), which ‘‘will Javier Prado Coronel (self-published).
any person, in any form, nor practices send a European fan to the 2025 Worldcon in Libro In fa nt i l-Juven i l (Ch i ld ren’s/ YA
that seek to appropriate and erase other Seattle,’’ is open for nominations until Decem- Book): El verano en que llegaron los lobos,
authors’ work, or any other allegations. Patricia García-Rojo (Ediciones SM).
As an urgent response, the ASFS is
ber 20, 2024. TAFF ‘‘was created in 1953 for the
committed to create a space for our mem- purpose of providing funds to bring well-known Artículo (Article): ‘‘Hopepunk: Cuando la
bers to come forward with any concerns, and popular [science fiction] fans familiar to bondad es rebeldía’’, Aitor Aráez (Droids &
and an opportunity for Oghenechovwe those on both sides of the ocean across the Druids).
Donald Ekpeki to respond. Atlantic. Since that time TAFF has regularly Ilustración (Illustration): Cover of Breve viaje
We will be setting up a series of work- brought North American fans to European con- por la España de las brujas, Clara Dies Valls &
shops for our members to discuss Codes Javier Prado Coronel.
of Conduct and fair practice in publish- ventions and European fans to North American
ing. This will offer guidance on com- conventions. TAFF exists solely through the sup- Producción audiovisual (Audiovisual Pro-
mercial publishing including contracts, port of fandom. The candidates are voted on by duction): Droids & Druids, podcast, Amanda
processes, and rights – the benefits, the interested fans all over the world, and each vote Iniesta, Elena Torró & Inés Galiano.
opportunities and the costs. is accompanied by a donation... . These votes, Tebeo extranjero (Foreign Comic): Tragones
A direct outcome of these workshops and the continued generosity of fandom, are y Mazmorras [Delicious in Dungeon], Ryôko
will be a new ASFS Code of Conduct pro- Kui, translated by Marc Bernabé (Milky Way).
viding clear ethical guidance which will be what make TAFF possible.’’ The voting date has
circulated to our members for voting and not yet been announced. For more information, Tebeo (Comic): La taza medio llena, Laurielle
to add to our Charter. including rules and requirements, see the TAFF (self-published).
site: <taff.org.uk/Index.html>. Revista (Magazine): Droids & Druids.
Geffen Awards Winners  Winners Sitio web (Website): La nave invisible, vari-
for the 2024 Geffen Awards for best science Words of the Year  Collins Dictionary ous authors.
fiction and fantasy published in Hebrew were in the UK has released its ‘‘Word of the Year’’ Juego de Rol (Role-Playing Game): Alguien
announced by the Israeli Society for Science winner and shortlist for 2024. The list include debe morir, Alejandro Torrado & Nefta Nervo
Fiction and Fantasy at ICon, held October 20-22, ‘‘romantasy,’’ defined as ‘‘a literary genre that (Suseya Ediciones).
2024 in Tel Aviv Israel. combines romantic fiction with fantasy.’’ The For more: <www.asociacionportico.com/
Best Translated Fantasy Book: The Hidden overall word of the year is ‘‘brat,’’ in the sense category/ignotus>.
Legacy: Sapphire Flames, Emerald Blaze, of someone with a ‘‘confident, independent and
Ruby Fever, Ilona Andrews, translated by Yael hedonistic attitude,’’ as popularized by singer/ Premio Italia Winners  Winners
Achmon (Alma & Ahavot). songwriter Charli XCX’s album Brat. for the 2024 Premio Italia Awards have been
Best Translated Science Fiction Book: The Other words on the list include ‘‘supermajor- announced, honoring accomplishments in the
Fifth Season, N.K. Jemisin, translated by Zafir ity,’’ ‘‘yapping,’’ ‘‘delulu,’’ ‘‘brainrot,’’ ‘‘rawdog- field of Italian fantasy and science fiction.
Grosman (Opus). ging,’’ and ‘‘anti-tourism.’’ Collins managing International Novel: Le navi d’ossa [The Bone
Best Translated YA Book: The Chalice of the director Alex Beercroft said, ‘‘With many of this Ships], R.J. Barker (Meridiano Zero – Elara).
Gods, Rick Riordan, translated by Yael Achmon year’s notable words being popularised by gen- Science Fiction Novel by an Italian Au-
(Kinneret Zmora Bitan. erations Z and Alpha, we can confidently say this thor: Per le ceneri dei padri, Davide Del Popolo
Best Original Hebrew Book: The Archangel is the most ‘brat’ word of the year list ever.’’ For Riolo (Urania Mondadori).
Sisters – Gates of Shadows, Naama Bar Shira. more: <www.collinsdictionary.com/us/woty>. Fantasy Novel by an Italian Author: Polvere
Best Original Hebrew Short Story: ‘‘Where al vento, Irene Grazzini (Delos Digital).
the books are’’, Bar Fischbein (Once Upon a Series: Urania (Mondadori).
Future 2023). Ignotus Awards Winners  The Aso- Anthology: Tempesta dal nulla, Luca Ortino
For more: <geffen.sf-f.org.il> ciación Española de Fantasía, Ciencia Ficción y & Carmine Treanni, eds. (Delos Digital).
Terror (AEFCFT) has announced the winners for Story by an Italian Author in an Amateur Pub-
the 2024 Ignotus Awards, honoring speculative lication: ‘‘CiFlac’’, Claudio Chillemi (Robot 99).
Clarion West News  Clarion West has fiction from Spain and beyond. Story by an Italian Author in a Semipro-
announced that their next six-week workshop Novela extranjera (Foreign Novel): Mi corazón fessional Publication: ‘‘Proficuo scambio,’’
will be held virtually instead of in person, and es una motosierra [My Heart Is a Chainsaw], Giovanna Repetto (Fondazione SF 31).
will run June 22-August 2, 2025. The new for- Stephen Graham Jones, translated by Manuel Article by an Italian Author in a Professional
mat is ‘‘designed to give students more time to de los Reyes (Biblioteca de Carfax). Publication: ‘‘Un giorno a Movieland’’, Emanu-
write, additional lecture time with instructors, Novela cor ta ex t ra njera (Foreig n No- ele Manco & Letizia Mirabile (FantasyMaga-
and more experimentation with workshopping vella): Acércate [Come Closer], Sara Gran, zine).
models.’’ The instructors will be Maurice Bro- translated by María Pérez de San Román (Bib- Article by an Italian Author in an Amateur
addus, Malka Older, Diana Pho, and Martha lioteca de Carfax). Publication: ‘‘Il Fantastico Totò’’, Claudio Chill-
Wells. Applications open on December 1, 2024 Cuento extranjero (Foreign Short Story): ‘‘El emi (Fondazione SF 31).
and close February 15, 2025. For details: <www. mirador de las viudas’’ [Widow’s Walk], Angela Scholarly Paper/Saggio: ‘‘Fantascienza, un
clarionwest.org/2024/07/24/the-2025-summer- Slatter, translated by Carla Bataller Estruch (Vo- genere (femminile)’’, Laura Coci (Delos Digital).
workshop-instructors-format/>. ces de lo Insólito). Illustration or Cover: Franco Brambilla for Il
There will also be a novel writing workshop, Antología extranjera (Foreign Anthology/ trentunesimo giorno.
which will span nine months, and is ‘‘designed Collection): Cuentos para Algernon: Año XI, Editor: Alfredo Castelli.
for speculative fiction writers who are ready to edited and translated by Marcheto (Cuentos Translator: Annarita Guarnieri.
bring their novels from early chapters to comple- para Algernon). Magazine: FantasyMagazine.
tion. The workshop will begin March 10, 2025, Novela (Novel): El lugar invisible, Lola Llatas Fanzine/Fan Website: FantascientifiCast.
with instructor Samit Basu. Applications open (Obscura Editorial). Comic by an Italian Artist: Martin Mystère
on November 11, 2024 and close December 15, Novela corta (Novella): ‘‘Puedes llamarme Es- 400: I Colori Impossibili, Carlo Recagno,
2024. For more: <www.clarionwest.org/clarion- pátula’’, Celia Corral-Vázquez (Droids & Druids). Giancarlo Alessandrini, Fabio Grimaldi, Alfredo
west-online-novel-writing-workshop>. Cuento (Short Story): ‘‘Mi Primera Ouija Orlandi, Rodolfo Torti, Daniele Rudoni (Bonelli).
Clarion West is also holding a fundraiser TM’’, Ana Saiz (Droids & Druids nº 7: Comu- The winners were announced November 7,
from November 11 to December 4, 2024 via nicaciones). 

LOCUS December 2024 / 73

 fantastique.’’ The award was created by Jean- sales of $2.0 billion were up 8.0% over last year;
The Data File Pierre Verlanger in memory of his wife, who trade paperbacks saw sales of $2.1 billion, up 5.9%;

wrote under the pseudonym Gilles Thomas. mass market paperbacks brought in a mere $81.9
2024 during the 50th anniversary Italcon in The award was announced on November 3, million, down 18.1%.
Trieste. For more: <www.premioitalia.org/ 2024, during the Nantes Utopiales Festival. For Amazon’s sales for the third quarter were stron-
finalisti>. more: <www.facebook.com/utopiales.nantes/ ger than expected, at $158.9 billion up 11% over
posts/1148467260181134>. the same period last year; operating income was
Announcements  Paul Ryan O’Connor The Saltire Society announced the 2024 up a dramatic 55% at $17.4 billion. As usual, the
is the winner of the Speculative Literature Scotland’s National Book Award shortlist during AWS cloud services brought in the bulk of the
Foundation’s (SLF) 2024 Older Writers Grant, a livestreamed event in Edinburgh’s Old Town profits. Online sales brought in $61.4 billion, up
which gives $1,000 to writers ‘‘fifty years of age on October 30, 2024. Titles of genre in the Fic- 8% from last year; book sales are not broken out
or older at the time of grant application, and is tion Book of the Year category include Lost separately. CEO Andy Jassy noted the release of
intended to assist such writers who are just start- People, Margaret Elphinstone (Wild Stone) and new kindle devices in October had a better-than-
ing to work at a professional level.’’ O’Connor Hazardous Spirits, Anbara Salam (Baskerville), expected response. Otherwise, the company is
was awarded the grant for his unpublished while the First Book of the Year category has heavily focused on generative AI, planning on $75
novel Gumshoe Frankenstein. Applications for Fragile Animals, Genevieve Jagger (404 Ink). billion in capital expenditures this year, much of
the Older Writers Grant are considered annually For more: <www.saltiresociety.org.uk/the- it going to build new data centers.
from May 1 to May 31. For more: <speculativelit- saltire-society-literary-awards-2024-shortlist>. WH Smith, the UK bookstore chain, saw sales
erature.org/grants/slf-older-writers-grant>. ActuSF has announced the winners for the of £1.92 billion (around $2.43 billion) for the fiscal
2024 Prix de l’Uchronie. The prize is awarded to year ending in August, up 7% over the previous
Awards News  Light Bringer Proj- works of alternate history, written or translated year; profits (before tax) of £166 million ($211
ect and Omega Sci-Fi have announced that into French and published between September million) were up 16%. The Travel division (airport
the Roswell and New Suns Climate Fiction 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Prix Littéraire: No- stores, etc.) had the best results, with profits up
awards are on indefinite hiatus. Omega Sci-Fi is blesse oblige, Maiwenn Alix (Slalom). Prix Spé- 15% at £189 million. High Street stores saw profits
celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, and cial: Auto-Uchronia ou Fugue en zut mineur by flat at £33 million ($42 million) and sales down
will continue their two youth competitions, The Francis Berthelot (Dystopia). Winners were 4% at £452 million ($574 million). The company
Tomorrow Prize and The Green Feather Award. chosen by a jury. For more: <www.actusf.com>. has been expanding its airport stores, especially
Submissions for both awards are open through The shortlist for the inaugural PEN Heaney in the US, with about 60 due to open in North
February 14, 2025. This year’s competition will prize in poetry has been announced. The list America in the current fiscal year.
come to a close during the Celebrity Readings included two works with speculative elements: Bloomsbury saw record sales in the first six
and Honors event on May 17, 2025 For more: Hyena! by Fran Lock (Poetry Bus Press) and A months of fiscal 2025, with a 32% increase in
<www.lightbringerproject.org/science-fiction- Tower Built Downwards by Yang Lian, trans. revenue credited mostly to huge sales for Sarah J.
competitions>. Brian Holton (Bloodaxe Books). A collaboration Maas and the acquisition of the academic publish-
BizarroCon has announced the winners for between English PEN, PEN Ireland/PEN na ing group Rowman & Littlefield. Revenue came
the 2024 Wonderland Book Awards for Excel- hÉireann, and the Estate of Seamus Heaney, the in at £179.8 million (around $228 million) with
lence in Bizarro Fiction. Best Novel: Edenville, award honors a single book of poetry published earnings up 50% at £26.6 million ($33.8 million).
Sam Rebelein (Morrow). Best Collection: All in the United Kingdom or Ireland that ‘‘engages Maas’s sales alone rose 102% in the period, but
I Want is to Take Shrooms and Listen to the with the impact of cultural or political events strong sales for the Harry Potter backlist and The
Color of Nazi Screams, John Baltisberger on human conditions or relationships.’’ The late Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu were also noted.
(Planet Bizarro). The awards are presented an- poet Heaney was a Nobel laureate whose many HarperCollins reported sales up in their quarter
nually at BizarroCon for superior achievement works include a translation of Beowulf (W.W. ending September 30, 2024, according to parent
in bizarro fiction writing. The 2024 awards, Norton). Judges of the award were Nick Laird, company News Corp. Sales of $525 million gained
for books published in 2023, were presented Paula Meehan and Shazea Quraishi. Catherine 4% over the same period a year ago; earnings
November 9, 2024. Heaney, the daughter of Seamus Heaney, served (EBITDA) grew to $81 million, a 25% increase.
The winner, finalists, and honorable mentions as the nonvoting Chair representing the poet’s Digital sales led the revenue increase, up 15% in
for the 2024 Salam Award for Imaginative Fic- Estate. The winner will be announced at a cer- the quarter; digital audiobook sales grew 26% and
tion have been announced. The winner is ‘‘A emony held December 2, 2024 at the Great Hall ebooks rose 7%. Digital sales accounted for 25%
Shrine by the Sea’’ by Syed Zain Haroon. Final- of Queen’s University Belfast. For more: <www. of consumer revenues in the quarter, up from
ists are ‘‘The Shopkeeper’s Remedy’’ by Manahil englishpen.org/posts/events/inaugural-pen- 22% last year.
Bandukwala and ‘‘The 11th Wish’’ by Raazia heaney-prize-ceremony>.
Sajid. Honorable mentions are ‘‘On the Moon- International Rights  Finnish rights
glow Road’’ by Ramsha Farooq Raja and ‘‘Hexes Financial News  Preliminary retail figures to Frank Herbert’s God Emperor of Dune sold
on Exes’’ by Zuha Siddiqui. The Salam Award, from the US Census Bureau show bookstore to Lotta Dufva at WSOY; Belarus rights to Dune
‘‘a short story award to promote science fiction sales for September 2024 up 6% from September sold to Januskevic via Tatjana Zoldnere of Eastern
and related genres of writing in Pakistan,’’ is an 2023. For the year-to-date, sales are down 1.2% European and Asian Rights Agency; Korean audio
annual prize open to original fiction of 10,000 compared to the same period last year. All retail rights to Dune and Dune Messiah went to Story-
words or fewer written in English by authors essentially held steady for the month, down by tel via Sue Yang of Eric Yang Agency; and Russian
who must be ‘‘currently residing in Pakistan, .01%, but was up 2.2% YTD. rights to The Dragon in the Sea, Soul Catcher,
or be of Pakistani birth/descent.’’ The award Book sales continued strong in August accord- and The White Plague went to AST via Anastasia
is named for Pakistani physicist Abdus Salam. ing to the Association of American Publishers’ Falcon of Andrew Nurnberg Associates, all on
Judges for this year’s award were TS.B. Divya, StatShot program, based on results from 1,277 re- behalf of Ana Ban of Trident Media Group for
Max Gladstone, and Vajra Chandrasekera. The porting publishers. Total sales of $1.7 billion were Robert Gottlieb and John Silbersack.
winner receives Rs 50,000, publication on the up 8.5% over the same period last year. YTD sales Vietnamese rights to You Like it Darker by
Salam Award site, editorial review, and potential came in at $93 billion, a 7.8% increase. Adult trade Stephen King went to Nha Nam via Hoang Thanh
publication in a magazine. For more: <thesala- fiction sales grew 14.7%, ahead of nonfiction, up Van of Andrew Nurnberg Associates on behalf of
maward.com/winners-for-2024>. 8.5%. The Children’s/YA segment saw August The Lotts Agency.
Les Sentiers de recouvrance by Émilie Quer- fiction sales up 6.6% compared to last year, while Italian Rights to Red Planet Blues by Robert J.
balec (Albin Michel Imaginaire) won the 2024 nonfiction gained 12.2%. Digital audiobooks saw Sawyer sold to Mondadori.
Prix Julia Verlanger. The award is presented by the biggest increase by format, for the month up Catalan rights to Brandon Sanderson’s Elantris
the Foundation de France, and is awarded to 38.8% at $93.9 million, while ebooks brought in and The Emperor’s Soul went to Duna Llibres,
‘‘a science fiction work of adventure, fantasy or $90.4 million, a 6.1% gain. In print, hardcovers and Catalan rights to Mistborn, The Well of

74 / LOCUS December 2024

Ascension, and The Hero of Ages sold to Mai went to Rowohlt at auction, Russian rights went Audio rights to H. Leighton Dickson’s Ship of
Mes, all via Sandra Biel Piera and Maru De to Eksmo at auction, French paperback rights Spells and a second book sold to Recorded Books.
Montserrat at International Editors & Yanez on went to Gallimard Jeunesse, and French hard- Audio rights to J.P. Roth’s Divinica went to
behalf of Susan Velazquez Colmant and Christina cover rights went to Pygmalion. Kim Budnick at Tantor Media via Stephanie
Zobel of JABberwocky Literary Agency. French Canadian rights to Otoniya J. Okot Hansen of Metamorphosis Literary Agency
Vietnamese rights to R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis Bitek’s We, The Kindling sold to Catherine Le- Audio rights to Kate Serzenta’s Ghostly,
sold to Rainbow Ridge via Sherri Cheng of the roux at Editions Alto, and German rights went Starrily, and a third book sold to Lindsey
Grayhawk Agency, Swedish rights to Albert to Annette Michael at Orlanda, via Catherine Wood at Tantor Media.
Bonniers via Jeanine Langenberg of Sebes & Ryoo of Knopf Canada. Audio rights to Once Charmed, Twice Cursed
Bisseling, Korean rights to O’Fan via Sonu Brazilian rights to Rachel L. Schade’s Empire by Shaylin Gandhi went to Lindsey Wood at Tan-
John at Danny Hong Agency, and Chinese rights of Dragons and Castle of Dusk and Shadows tor Media.
to Citic via Gray Tan of the Grayhawk Agency, sold to Erika Robles at DL Books. Audio rights to Shanna Swendson’s Tea and
all on behalf of Nicholas Runyon of Liza Dawson Russian rights to Yudhanjaya Wijeratne’s Empathy and Bread and Burglary sold to Jo Ann
Associates. Numbercaste sold to Explorer Books via Igor Peritz at Audible via Kristin Nelson of Nelson
Israeli rights to three books in the Empty Korzhenevski and Alexander Korzhenevski of Literary Agency.
Kingdom series by L.M. Dalgleish sold to Karen the Alexander Korzhenevski Agency on behalf Audio rights to Tiffany Wang’s Tempest’s
Shinar at Turquoise Publishing via Amanda of Stevie Finegan of Zeno Agency Ltd. Queen sold to Stephanie Beard at Podium Audio
Wooden of SBR Media. via Kelly Van Sant of KT Literary.
Indian rights to Amal Singh’s Slow Burn sold Audio Rights  Audio rights to William Audio rights to The Nine and The Fall by Tracy
to Archana Nathan at Penguin India at auction. Gibson’s Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive, Townsend went to WF Howes via Stevie Finegan
Italian rights to Nagi Shimeno’s Messenger Virtual Light, Idoru, All Tomorrow’s Parties, of Zeno Agency Ltd. on behalf of Bridget Smith
Cat in a Café went to Nord, Portuguese rights and Burning Chrome sold to WF Howes via of JABberwocky Literary Agency.
to Presenca, Spanish rights to Newton Compton John Berlyne of Zeno Agency Ltd. Audio rights to James Young’s Dispatches
Spain, Russian rights to Mann, Ivanov & Ferber, Audio rights to Molly Tanzer’s The Pleasure from Valhalla sold to Kim Budnick at Tantor
Taiwanese rights to Crown Publishing, and Ma- Merchant, Rumbullion, and A Pretty Mouth Media via Stephanie Hansen of Metamorphosis
laysian rights to Biblio. sold to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media via Katie Literary Agency. 
German rights to Stay for a Spell and two more Shea Boutillier of Donald Maass Literary Agency
books by Anne Perry writing as Amy Coombe on behalf of Cameron McClure.

People & Publishing Cal Fable at Midnight Meadow. math at Saga Press via Hana El cluding Compass Reach, Metal
 p. 9 Kadan Astrophel will edit. Niwairi of CookeMcDermid for of Night, and Peace & Memory,
KALLA HARRIS’s first novel Lord, Laurie Fox of Linda Ches- to Histria Publishing.
sold detective fantasy Who The Ground That Devours Us ter Literary Agency for Newitz,
Killed One the Gun? to Laura
Stanfill at Forest Avenue Press.
– ‘‘a post-apocalyptic paranor-
mal romance’’ – and a second
and Hannah Bowman of Liza
Dawson Associates for Older.
Publishing
New writer PORTIA ELAN’s title went to Hoda Agharazi at HENRY HERZ will edit an- DIANA PHO has been pro-
SF novel Homebound went to Entangled Teen via Jenna Sat- thology Death Maidens, ‘‘a moted to editorial director at
Rebekah Jett at Scribner in a terthwaite of Storm Literary collection of contemporary fan- Erewhon, and VIENGSAMAI
pre-empt via Julie Barer of The Agency. tasy stories about modern-day FETTERS has been promoted
Book Group. Canadian rights First novelist NOELLE MON- Valkyries,’’, for Anne Sowards to associate editor.
went to Brittany Lavery and ET’s YA contemporary fantasy at Ace via Gaby Cabezut of The AMY BREWER of Metamor-
Nicole Winstanley at Simon & Bound by Fury and a second Seymour Agency. phosis Literar y Agency has
Schuster Canada. book sold to Sarah McCabe at JENNA MORECI’s writing been promoted to vice-presi-
E M I LY K R E M P H O LT Z ’ s Margaret K. McElderry Books guide How to Write Roman- dent, while company president
first novel, cozy fantasy Violet for six figures at auction via tasy sold to Zoey Brandt at Ten STEPHANIE HANSEN ‘‘will
Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Jenissa Graham of BookEnds. Speed Press via Sarah Gerton shift her focus towards manag-
Anymore, and a second book SARAH LANGAN sold novella of New Leaf Literary & Media. ing operations, representing
sold to Sareer Khader at Berkley Pam Kowolski Is a Monster legacy clients, and developing
in a pre-empt via Brent Taylor of
TriadaUS Literary Agency.
to Jennifer Barnes at Raw Dog
Screaming and resold novels
Books Resold film subsidiary rights ventures.’’
NAN GRAHAM is stepping
New writer ISABELLE MON- The Keeper, The Missing, TERRY PRATCHETT’s Night down as publisher of Scrib-
GEAU’s ‘‘subversive romantasy’’ and Audrey’s Door to Stefan Watch will be published as an ner, but will continue to edit
The Debtor’s Game and an- Dziemianowicz at Open Road, annotated edition by Penguin and acquire books, starting in
other title sold to Natalie Hallak all via Stacia Decker of Dunow, Modern Classics in the UK , 2025. She was Scribner’s first
at Ballantine at auction via Haley Carlson & Lerner. to appear on April 28, 2025 – editor-in-chief starting in 1994.
Heidemann of William Morris CHELSEA SUTTON’s horror ‘‘Terry Pratchett Day,’’ the late A replacement has not yet been
Endeavor. novella Krackle’s Last Movie author’s birthday. This edition named.
E.E. HUSSEY’s fabulist debut went to Kristine Langley Mahler will include a foreword by Rob
novel Hafa Adai went to Marisa at Split/Lip Press. Wilkins and an introduction and Media
Siegel at Curbstone via Kiele K AREN LORD, ANNALEE annotations by David Lloyd and
Raymond of Thompson Literary NEWITZ, and MALKA OLDER Darryl Jones. CLIVE BARKER’s The Thief
Agency. will edit We Will Rise Again: LAURA E. WEYMOUTH re- of Always is being adapted as
KEYA CHATTERJEE’s first Speculative Stories About Po- sold fantasy novel The Castle a feature film by Jennifer Kent,
novel, speculative romance The litical Protest, Resistance, and and the Cloister and sequel director of The Babadook.
Revolution Will Not Be Rated Hope, ‘‘an anthology of stories, The Starlight and the Flame BEN AARONOVITCH’s nov-
G, went to Rose Alexandre- essays, and interviews that offer to Kate McHale at Del Rey UK el Rivers of London is being
Leach at Green Writers Press. visions of the future, fantastical via Laura Crockett of Triada US. adapted as a TV series by Sky
Maria Tane will edit. alternate worlds, and inspiration Saga will publish in the US. Studios with production com-
BETHANY TAP’s debut fan- for the social justice movements MARK W. TIEDEMANN re- pany Pure Fiction. 
tasy Upon the Burning sold to of tomorrow,’’ for Sareena Ka- sold the Secants Sequence, in-

LOCUS December 2024 / 75

A OBITUARIES
rtist GREG HILDEBRANDT, reer, he published over a hundred sto-
85, died October 31, 2024. ries and many hundreds of poems.
He frequently collaborated Some of his earliest work is collected
with his identical twin brother Tim in Jackbird: Tales of Illusion & Identi-
(1939-2006) as ‘‘The Brothers Hil- ty (1976), and other poems appear in The
debrandt,’’ achieving fame for their Nightmare Collector (1989), Faces of the
illustrations of works by J.R.R. Tolk- Beast (1990), Cybertexts (1992), Chron-
ien, frequently featured in calendars. icles of the Mutant Rain Forest (1992,
They also illustrated a 1975 edition of w i t h R o b e r t F r a z i e r) , A c c u r s e d
Tolkien’s Smith of Wootton Major & Wives (1993), Specula: Selected Uncol-
Farmer Giles of Ham. lected Poems (1993), Sensuous Debris: Se-
Gregory J. Hildebrandt was born lected Poems, 1970-1995 (1995), Quanta:
January 23, 1939 in Detroit MI. Both Award Winner Poems (2001), and more.
Hildebrandts joined the Army Reserve He was nominated for 18 Bram Stoker
after high school, then attended art Awards and won four for his poetry
school briefly before dropping out to collections: Pitchblende (2003), Shades
become working artists. They worked on Fantastic (2006), The Nightmare Collec-
animated and documentary films and tion (2008), and Dark Matters (2010). He
illustrated children’s books before mov- was a seven-time winner of the Rhysling
ing to their popular calendar work in the Award and won a Dwarf Star award for
1970s. The success of those projects led short poem ‘‘In Perpetuity’’ in 2023, all
them to thriving careers as cover art- presented by the SFPA.
ists, illustrating works by Terry Brooks, Greg and Tim Hildebrandt (1970s) His prose writing appears in She
Lester del Rey, Anne McCaffrey, and more. also a prolific prose writer. He was the recipient C omes W hen You’re L eav ing & Ot her
They also painted movie posters, including for of the first Grand Master award presented by Stories (1982), Skin Trades (1988), Hyper-
Star Wars and the 1978 animated version of the Science Fiction Poetry Association (SFPA) tales & Metafictions (1990), Short Cir-
The Lord of the Rings. Their illustrated novel in 1999. c u i t s (1 9 9 0 ) , H o u s e s &
Urshurak (1979), co-written with Jerry Nichols, Bruce David Boston was born Other Stories (1991), Night
showcased their own ideas for a fantasy film. July 16, 1943 in Chicago IL and Eyes (1993), Bruce Boston:
The brothers began to pursue separate careers grew up in Southern California. Short Stories, Volume 1 (2003),
in the 1980s, with Greg mostly illustrating He moved to the Bay Area in and Bruce Boston: Short Sto-
children’s books, before collaborating again 1961 and attended UC Berke- ries, Volume 2 (2003). His
in the 1990s for Marvel and DC comics and ley, graduating with a BA in nove l s a re St a i ne d G l a s s
more cover art. After Tim’s death in 1996, Greg economics in 1965 and a MA in Rain (1993) and The Guarden-
largely retired from making art. 1967. He remained in the area er’s Tale (2007).
Some of his work is collected in The Art of until 2001, when he relocated to Boston was also a Pushcart
the Brothers Hildebrandt (1979), Hildebrandt Florida. In addition to writing, Prize winner, a frequent award
Collector Cards (1992), 30 Years of Magic: he worked as a programmer, juror, served as an officer in the
Greg Hildebrandt II (1993), Star Wars: The professor, technical writer, and SFPA, edited numerous publica-
Art of the Brothers Hildebrandt (1997), and in other professions. tions, and was poetry guest of
Greg and Tim Hildebrandt: The Tolkien Boston bega n publish- honor at the 2013 World Horror
Years (2001). ing surreal short fiction and Convention.
works of SF in the early ’70s He is survived by his wife,
Author BRUCE BOSTON, 81, died November alongside his poetry. Over the author Marge Simon, married
11, 2024. He was best known as a poet, but was course of his five-decade ca- Bruce Boston (2015) in 2001.

Artwork by the Brothers Hildebrandt

76 / LOCUS December 2024

Author, actor, critic, and filmmaker TIM SUL- Scavengers (2001), frequently collaborating of Angels (1998) and ran for 15 volumes, most
LIVAN, 76, died November 10, 2024 in hospice with director Ron Ford. recently The Fever of the World (2022); a final
care in Newport News VA. installment, Echo of Crows, is forthcoming in
Timothy Robert Sullivan was born June 9, Author PHIL RICKMAN, 74, died October 29, 2025. He wrote non-fiction Merrily’s Border: The
1948 in Bangor ME. He studied literature and 2024. Rickman was a journalist and a prolific Places in Herefordshire & the Marches Behind
got his degree at Florida Atlantic University, author of crime and supernatural fiction, best the Merrily Watkins Novels (2009, with photos
and spent time in Philadelphia, Washington known for the Merrily Watkins mystery series, by John Mason).
DC, and Southern California. adapted into a TV series in 2015. The John Deep Papers series consists of The
He began publishing SF with ‘‘Tachyon Philip Rickman was born in Lancashire and lived Bones of Avalon (2010) and The Heresy of Dr
Rage’’ in 1977 (as Timothy Robert Sullivan). in Wales. He was a reporter for Wales Today in the Dee (2012). Other works of genre interest include
‘‘Zeke’’ (1981) was a Nebula Awards finalist. 1980s, and worked in radio broadcasting for over Crybbe (1993), December (1994), The Man in
His first novels were tie-ins to the V sci- 20 years, hosting literature show Phil the Shelf. the Moss (1994), The Chalice (1996), and Night
ence fiction TV miniseries, beginning with His debut novel Candlelight appeared in 1991. After Night (2014). He also wrote as Thom Mad-
‘‘V’’: The Florida Project (1985); he wrote The Merrily Watkins series began with The Wine ley and Will Kingdom.
seven installments in all. First origi-
nal novel Destiny’s End appeared Editor, publisher, and agent PHILIPPA
in 1988. Other works include The BREWSTER, 74, died October 15, 2024
Parasite War (1989), The Martian Vi- in Cornwall, England.
king (1991), Lords of Creation (1992), Brewster began working in publishing
and installments in the Mutants Amok at Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1971, with
series with David Bischoff (under the a focus on film and women’s studies. She
name Mark Grant). He also edited founded the feminist non-fiction line
anthologies Tropical Chills (1988) Pandora Press in 1983. She published SF
and Cold Shocks (1991). He was a book writer Jeanette Winterson’s debut Oranges
reviewer for The Washington Post and Are Not the Only Fruit (1985). She worked
an awards judge as well. briefly at Jonathan Cape before moving
Sullivan was well-known as an actor to IB Tauris in 1993, where she published
in low-budget SF and horror movies, academic books on genre media including
including Twilight of the Dogs (1995), Doctor Who and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
which he co-wrote. He wrote and di- In 2000 she switched paths to become a
rected Vampyre Femmes (1999), and literary agent at Georgina Capel Associ-
had roles in Eyes of the Werewolf (1999), ates, though she still acquired books for IB
The Mark of Dracula (2000), Hol- Tauris. She is survived by partner Hilary
lywood Mortuary (2000) and Deadly Vampyre Femmes poster Tim Sullivan (2010) Fairclough.

LOCUS December 2024 / 77

H EDITORIAL MATTERS
ere we are, at the end of 2024. It’s model is huge in the UK and growing here.
been a whirlwind. Illumicrate will be launching a quarterly SF
Congrats to our senior editor subscription box in February called Star-
Arley Sorg who was GOH at Can*Con 2024, bright, so it was the perfect time to talk
and to reviewer Alex Brown for their Ignyte to them. And yes, they do ship to the US.
Award win! This month we had a glorious We’ve got two fantastic authors inter-
dinner with staff and volunteers and more viewed in this issue in different phases of
at the Tonga Room in San Francisco thanks their careers: one making a return to the
to Garth Nix, who was on his way through publishing world and one with a breakout
San Francisco on book tour. Lots of con- year of awards for his debut and then a
versation, fancy rum drinks – as colorful as second novel. Plus our Forthcoming Books
they were delicious – with occasional rain lists through September of next year, and
storms and a band. Floating on a boat. In all our usual news and reviews – c’est très
the middle of a pool. In the dining room. complet.
WORLD FANTASY YEAR-END GIVING
There were a few photos that we couldn’t We have changes in the works! What we
squeeze into the World Fantasy spread that can make happen for Locus depends a lot
we’ll run here: shots of some of our review- on how much we can fundraise: we have a
ers – past and current, my exciting jaunt in matching grant for the first $50,000 from
a hot air balloon with the Haldemans and one very famous author in the US who cares
crew, the falls themselves as seen from the Niagara Falls a lot, and every dollar that comes in helps!
Maid of the Mist.... We have to run a falls We’re fundraising to update some ancient
photo – there’s a law. And of course we send big books coming out every week plus dry humor and systems and make things less labor intensive on the
messy thank you’s to everyone who helped at the a little inside baseball sounds good to you, go check back end, other changes still sekrit, and some TBD,
Locus dealers table and gave Francesca breaks: out our channel. but we need to raise the money to get things rolling
Sara Felix, Dale K. Hanes, William Lawhorn, Mary THIS ISSUE and to carry us into the new year. If you have the
Anne Mohanraj, and Madeleine E. Robins. Fran We have two Spotlights this month: one is on means to donate for our year-end giving campaign,
and I also did a mini-interview project while there talented artist Christine Mitzuk. For the other we please go to <locusmag.com/donate2024> and help
to add to our video content we have going online: talked to Daphne Tonge, who runs Illumicrate and Locus off to a strong 2025. Thank you from all of us!
we asked a set of the authors and artists at WFC to Daphne Press. If you don’t know about Illumicrate I hope this year has been kind to you, and that we
talk about things other than what they create. We yet, think book-of-the-month hand-picked titles, find our way through the next year with good books
heard about pets and hobbies and more, and you with a gorgeous specially printed deluxe edition of and imagination and compassion. From myself
can find these popping up on our social media. the book: painted edges, gilt and embossed cov- and all of the Locus team, sending you wishes of
We also have a weekly video of new books that are ers, special endpapers, full-court press, in a box a holiday season full of wonder. See you in 2025!
hitting shelves over at YouTube: if knowing about with other ephemera and swag. This subscription –Liza Groen Trombi

Ysabeau Wilce, Francesca Myman, Tim Pratt, Eleanor Trombla, Garth Nix, Heather Shaw,
Liza Groen Trombi Gary K. Wolfe, Paul Witcover

Liza Groen Trombi, Francesca Myman Casella Brookins, Rich Horton Liza Groen Trombi, Gay & Joe Haldeman

78 / LOCUS December 2024